Jervis Bay helicopter crash
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Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Beyond the black stump!
Jervis Bay helicopter crash
Very little information at this point other than a radio report.
https://www.2gb.com/podcast/helicopt...vis-bay-coast/
https://www.2gb.com/podcast/helicopt...vis-bay-coast/

Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Australia
Very little information at this point other than a radio report.
https://www.2gb.com/podcast/helicopt...vis-bay-coast/
https://www.2gb.com/podcast/helicopt...vis-bay-coast/
Update: CHC AW139 VH-NVE SAR heli has just made a flight from at or near HMAS Creswell to HMAS Albatross, presumably related.
Last edited by helispotter; 22nd March 2023 at 12:07.

Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Australia
ABC News has produced a brief report overnight:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-...-bay/102132762
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-...-bay/102132762

Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Australia
Australian media sources have reported the Australian Defence Force to investigate cause of helicopter ditching near Jervis Bay, NSW, during routine counterterrorism training.
The MRH-90 Taipan fleet will be grounded while the cause of the incident is investigated. Two defence force personnel have sustained minor injuries after an army helicopter ditched into the water during routine counterterrorism training near Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast.
All 10 personnel on board the Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan multi-role helicopter were recovered from the water on Wednesday night 22 Mar ’23 and assessed at the HMAS Cresswell Naval Academy.
The Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said the incident had the potential to end in "tragedy". "Quick responses from ADF personnel and emergency services and well drilled teams prevented a potential tragedy," Chief Stuart said.
"We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to determine the cause and ensure the platform remains safe to operate."
The training activity has been temporarily paused as a precaution and the MRH-90 Taipan fleet will be grounded while the cause of the incident is investigated, defence said in a statement.
"At this time defence’s priority is supporting the ADF members involved in the incident and their families," the department said. An ACT police spokeswoman said they were assisting the defence-led response to the incident in a support role after receiving a call at 2110 AEDT (UTC + 11).

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From: australia
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From: Here

Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Land of the Angles
As the UH-60 series were designed for the US Army and are ostensibly a land theatre platform, therefore not much of a need for floats, why add weight, cost and maintenance for a rarely needed option.
As for the over water H-60 variants, the crews HUET training is far, far more rigorous than say for commercial SLP, as such, the operators consider the risk/benefit analysis is for a ‘no floats’ requirement.
As for the over water H-60 variants, the crews HUET training is far, far more rigorous than say for commercial SLP, as such, the operators consider the risk/benefit analysis is for a ‘no floats’ requirement.

Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The Empire
Tipping the families of those killed in the 2006 Blackhawk crash, wish that the Australian Military
managed the risk with floats back then.


Joined: Jun 2001
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
Nov 2006 event was pretty dynamic, floats may not have made a difference, the machine was breaking up prior to water entry. Not having them guarantees they don't help.

Joined: Apr 2000
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From: EGDC
If you want to operate over the water, heavy and below MinSELF - having floats is a no-brainer. MCT Ops certainly fit that profile.
Hoping it won't happen is not risk-mitigation.
Hoping it won't happen is not risk-mitigation.

Joined: Jul 2011
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From: N/A
Originally Posted by [email protected]
If you want to operate over the water, heavy and below MinSELF - having floats is a no-brainer. MCT Ops certainly fit that profile.
Hoping it won't happen is not risk-mitigation.
Hoping it won't happen is not risk-mitigation.


Joined: Sep 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
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From: Canada
At sim training once:
The dreaded dark night IMC over unknown terrain dual engine failure.
Debrief : Instructor” You guys armed the floats. Why did you do that?”
Us: “Because in Canada, where we operate, the chances of ending up in a lake, pond, river or swamp vs on solid ground are about 50/50.”
Instructor: “Good idea!”
Some folks think “ditching” only when over the ocean. Heck you may end up in the local sewage settling pond…doesn’t hurt to have the floats armed. Gaining VMC at 100 feet over a lake it is probably going to be too late to arm the floats.
The dreaded dark night IMC over unknown terrain dual engine failure.
Debrief : Instructor” You guys armed the floats. Why did you do that?”
Us: “Because in Canada, where we operate, the chances of ending up in a lake, pond, river or swamp vs on solid ground are about 50/50.”
Instructor: “Good idea!”
Some folks think “ditching” only when over the ocean. Heck you may end up in the local sewage settling pond…doesn’t hurt to have the floats armed. Gaining VMC at 100 feet over a lake it is probably going to be too late to arm the floats.



