Winching from the sea at night at the top of New Zealand
Had the brother of very long time friends as one of those that didnt survive. NEST did a great job saving those they could. Mark's body was found lot further out to sea but at least they recovered him and he can be given a burial. Thanks NEST crews.
Good work there - I'm surprised they don't seem to have a rad alt height hold on the aircraft, not ideal for night over water winching.
The aircraft is a bog standard O&G S76C++.
No SAR modes… its hand flown on hoisting and true , its extremely difficult at night on googles over water. Good outcome and congratulations to the helicopter crews.
No SAR modes… its hand flown on hoisting and true , its extremely difficult at night on googles over water. Good outcome and congratulations to the helicopter crews.
Then the NZ Govt wants to be asked how an inappropriately equipped aircraft is allowed to conduct SAR duties - a 20' variation in height during night winching could be very costly.
It's not fair on the crews no matter how skilled they are.
It's not fair on the crews no matter how skilled they are.
Avoid imitations
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I flew SAR on the S-76A+ for four years, in aircraft equipped with “SAR Modes”. Over anything more than a low sea state, if the radalt hold was engaged, the aircraft would try to overtorque itself as it tried to outclimb a rising swell. So it still had to be flown partly in manual.
Hopefully the later versions had an improved system.
Hopefully the later versions had an improved system.
Avoid imitations
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Was this a tactical scenario? If not, why stay on NVG whilst hoisting?
Was this a tactical scenario? If not, why stay on NVG whilst hoisting?
The ability to scan to the horizon through the goggles and look at the white light picture close to the aircraft underneath the goggles gives, in my experience, a better hover.
Only once involved in night winching from the sea. Thankfully. close inshore (neck-deep off the hook) and illumination from landing lights and onshore L-R headlights. Spray recirculation made vis difficult. Aircraft was a Whirly 10, so not much technical help ! Non-survivor was one of a Regiment practice night drop on Cyprus Ladies' Mile, who had exited early, hit the beach being dragged backwards, and drowned while still in his harness. Apart from the vis difficulty, the essential removal from his harness had to be done by 'feel' and the pick-up was prolonged by the discovery of, (the previously unknown), fact that Paratroop Mae Wests were constructed differently from the aircrew variety. The latter had 'lifting webs' which surrounded the torso and could be used to support the bidy weight for lifting. The para version was merely two short loops sewn to the inflation lobes and, which gave way under body weight. That discovery, neck-deep in Mediterranean spray, at night, was unwelcome.
Last edited by Cornish Jack; 24th Mar 2022 at 09:46.
