Dutch Apache fired upon in the Netherlands
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Dutch Apache fired upon in the Netherlands
Man arrested
https://www.overtdefense.com/2023/03...ck-helicopter/
https://www.overtdefense.com/2023/03...ck-helicopter/
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee announced on Thursday that its gendarmes had arrested a man from Apeldoorn municipality in the center of the country, on suspicion of shooting at a Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
A Marechaussee spokesperson told Dutch public broadcaster NOS that the Apache pilot had reported that he had been shot at while in flight late Thursday morning. The helicopter was able to safely land at Gilze-Rijen Air Base after the incident, with the suspect arrested following Marechaussee consultation with the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
Marechausee spokesperson Robert von Kapel told the Algemeen Dagbladnewspaper that the suspect had been arrested in the evening at his home. The suspect is believed to have fired at the Apache from his home, and is now undergoing questioning. According to von Kapel, the suspect has been charged with “endangering an aircraft” and “destruction”. No motive is known as of writing.
Regional public broadcaster Omroep Gelderland identified the suspect as living in the village of Uddel, in the east of Apeldoorn municipality. Uddel is located in an area regularly used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force to practice low-altitude flight and coordination with Dutch ground troops, one of several such low-flying areas throughout the Netherlands.
The Marechausee is currently investigating what weapon was used to fire on the Apache, and what damage was caused to the attack helicopter. Dutch defense minister Kajsa Ollongren has since said that both Apache crew members are unharmed, adding that it was “very worrying” that the pilots had been fired on in their own country.
A Marechaussee spokesperson told Dutch public broadcaster NOS that the Apache pilot had reported that he had been shot at while in flight late Thursday morning. The helicopter was able to safely land at Gilze-Rijen Air Base after the incident, with the suspect arrested following Marechaussee consultation with the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service.
Marechausee spokesperson Robert von Kapel told the Algemeen Dagbladnewspaper that the suspect had been arrested in the evening at his home. The suspect is believed to have fired at the Apache from his home, and is now undergoing questioning. According to von Kapel, the suspect has been charged with “endangering an aircraft” and “destruction”. No motive is known as of writing.
Regional public broadcaster Omroep Gelderland identified the suspect as living in the village of Uddel, in the east of Apeldoorn municipality. Uddel is located in an area regularly used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force to practice low-altitude flight and coordination with Dutch ground troops, one of several such low-flying areas throughout the Netherlands.
The Marechausee is currently investigating what weapon was used to fire on the Apache, and what damage was caused to the attack helicopter. Dutch defense minister Kajsa Ollongren has since said that both Apache crew members are unharmed, adding that it was “very worrying” that the pilots had been fired on in their own country.
I doubt shooting at helos is particularly unusual. Hitting them probably is.
At Cranfield late one evening a CH53 landed way out of hours at dusk and shut down midfield. Some of us left the Dakota Club and wandered across to find the crew wondering at the bullet hole that had appeared in a rotor blade and caused the sudden whistling that had led them to land in a hurry. It was fullbore size surrounded by an inch or so of lost paint. They decided it wasn't in a critaical place and departed.
A few years later took a .22 round pointblank through the bottom of my Jetranger during a powerline line survey (at 30-50ft agl) in UK. Good thing it went where it did and not in a knee, ankle, arm or up my arse...
At Cranfield late one evening a CH53 landed way out of hours at dusk and shut down midfield. Some of us left the Dakota Club and wandered across to find the crew wondering at the bullet hole that had appeared in a rotor blade and caused the sudden whistling that had led them to land in a hurry. It was fullbore size surrounded by an inch or so of lost paint. They decided it wasn't in a critaical place and departed.
A few years later took a .22 round pointblank through the bottom of my Jetranger during a powerline line survey (at 30-50ft agl) in UK. Good thing it went where it did and not in a knee, ankle, arm or up my arse...
Last edited by meleagertoo; 1st Apr 2023 at 21:49.
I doubt if they train in country with bullets on board...but the TADS has a laser that you could probably weld with.
Last edited by LRP; 1st Apr 2023 at 22:09. Reason: spelling
Suspect has been released but will face charges of endangering an aircraft and some other minor charges. It has not been confirmed, but he may have used an air rifle. News reports explain that he lives in a low flying area, keeps livestock as a hobby and has been complaining about helicopters bothering his cattle for years.
Source (in Dutch): https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6257809...weer-vrij.html
Source (in Dutch): https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6257809...weer-vrij.html
Almost ten years ago in Vienna/Austria an ÖAMTC HEMS EC135 had a 9mm bullethole in one MR blade. A former collegue discovered a .22 in a TR blade of his HEMS BO105 during postflight inspection in the 90ties
https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/notar...ter/22.668.740
skadi
https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/notar...ter/22.668.740
skadi
Suspect has been released but will face charges of endangering an aircraft and some other minor charges. It has not been confirmed, but he may have used an air rifle. News reports explain that he lives in a low flying area, keeps livestock as a hobby and has been complaining about helicopters bothering his cattle for years.
Source (in Dutch): https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6257809...weer-vrij.html
Source (in Dutch): https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6257809...weer-vrij.html
What is the effective range of an air rifle?
You're flying an armoured Apache, all suited and helmeted, ready to die in service to your nation, and you crap your pants because someone shot an air rifle at you? Better stay away from the civilian world.
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Hmm - I didnt notice any reference to pant-crapping? I think its more a question of being somewhat annoyed!
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Based on the news reports, the helicopter crew reported the situation after continuing the flight and returning to their home base Gilze Rijen. Sounds like they carried out their duty and reported the irregularity to the relevant authorities.
I doubt shooting at helos is particularly unusual. Hitting them probably is.
At Cranfield late one evening a CH53 landed way out of hours at dusk and shut down midfield. Some of us left the Dakota Club and wandered across to find the crew wondering at the bullet hole that had appeared in a rotor blade and caused the sudden whistling that had led them to land in a hurry. It was fullbore size surrounded by an inch or so of lost paint. They decided it wasn't in a critaical place and departed.
A few years later took a .22 round pointblank through the bottom of my Jetranger during a powerline line survey (at 30-50ft agl) in UK. Good thing it went where it did and not in a knee, ankle, arm or up my arse...
At Cranfield late one evening a CH53 landed way out of hours at dusk and shut down midfield. Some of us left the Dakota Club and wandered across to find the crew wondering at the bullet hole that had appeared in a rotor blade and caused the sudden whistling that had led them to land in a hurry. It was fullbore size surrounded by an inch or so of lost paint. They decided it wasn't in a critaical place and departed.
A few years later took a .22 round pointblank through the bottom of my Jetranger during a powerline line survey (at 30-50ft agl) in UK. Good thing it went where it did and not in a knee, ankle, arm or up my arse...
Effective range for what? Air rifles typicly have 1/20th the muzzle energy of a .22lr.
An air rfifle is barely going to ding an Apache at 30m. That may leave a scratch in the paint. The pilots wouldn't even hear it. Hell, I doubt they would even notice a .22. I highly, highly doubt it was an air rifle.
An air rfifle is barely going to ding an Apache at 30m. That may leave a scratch in the paint. The pilots wouldn't even hear it. Hell, I doubt they would even notice a .22. I highly, highly doubt it was an air rifle.
