Vanuatu Crash August 2011
 

I heard the Suday Telegraph in Sydney is running a story today regarding a helicopter crash in Vanuatu on friday. Released deceased pilots name as PC. Cannot confirm. Limited internet in Jungle.

Anyone heard anything on this?

Just confirmed from newspaper.....# 7 friend/colleague this year :confused:

Condolences to all.

RIP Shags

RIP Shags
 

Cotter was a true gem of a man.

From the field:-

500D went down due to engine failure, Bung (as expected) did an excellent job putting the machine down. All passengers escaped without injury but one blade came into the cabin which killed our mate.

Such a shame. May he rest in piece in the "big blue hangar".

28 Aug 2011 The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) -

Gasgen - PC makes 7 for me this year too. Gave me lots of advice when I started in PNG. RIP mate.

Epiphany - Prob the same 7. All experienced guys, a couple of them 10,000hr + / 35 years +. Proves the fact that when mistakes are made in our game (by pilots, engineers or atc), the end results do not discriminate between the newby or the old hand.

Shag
 

Like most who knew him I was just "Shag" to him for many years but later he warmed as only Phil could do.
Rest in peace my friend, you helped many yet asked for nothing in return except prehapes a "stubby" and a chat at the Goroka Aero club.

There are mixed reports of the two passengers, evidently local telecom engineers and helicopter operating in mountainous terrain

The local Vanuatu Daily Post says two pax serious injuries to hospital, and then to (evidently bigger) hospital in the capital, Vila. That does not sound like "escaped without injury", Coota, don't you think?

Bugger! RIP Shags..

RIP Phil
 

Information on Phil
 

I posted Phils passing on another site and one reply I recieved I felt was worth posting here.

Hi I am Phil's sister and am hoping you can help me with dates when he was in PNG I am 10 years younger and am trying to get everything together to document his life. As you would know if you know Shags he does not give out lots of of info. My email address is [email protected]. Any info and pics would be fantastic.

Some of you knew Phil long before myself and may well be able to add to his sisters request.

Regards. Mike

Knew Phil when he was "spanners" on a Helitrans 206 on Manus Island in PNG in 1974.

Sad , sad news.

Rip Shags
 

Helihub,

More rumors but from a reliable source.

From the field - One passenger sustained serious injuries, the other walked away with very minor injuries.

On initial inspection of the wreckage, cargo net was found in the MR hub. Engine failure is unconfirmed.

Damn shame, Shags was one of the best.

Shags funeral notice
 

Phillip (Shags) Andrew Cotter
Born in NSW, Australia on 1 November 1948
Passed away in Malekula Island, Vanuatu on 26 August 2011
Aged 62 Years
Son of Daphne Cotter and Robert Vincent Cotter (deceased), brother of Martin, Ann (deceased), Robyn, Geoffrey, Lynette & Jeniffer

- Service Details
Family & Friends are invited to attend the
Celebration of Phil's life to be held at
Kelvin Grove Chapel
270 Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane
on Wednesday 7 September 2011 at 1:30pm

Memorial Service
Port Vila, Vanuatu
at the Anchor on Saturday 17 September 2011at TBA
to pay respects to Shags

Please visit the online memorial and leave a tribute.

Phillip (Shags) Andrew Cotter (1948 - 2011) - Funeral and Death Notice, Malekula Island, Vanuatu

Video tribute to Shags
 

Video tribute to Shags
 

Phil Cotter
 

Sad to hear of Phil's passing. Met him in Freeport's operation, Papua, years ago, them more recently in Sid's bar, Balikpapan, Indonesia.
As mentioned earlier, some good guys lost this year.
Be careful out there.

ATSB are taking over investigation

Investigation: AO-2011-108 - Collision with terrain - Hughes 369D helicopter, YJ-HEL, Maleluka Island, Vanuatu, 26 August 2011

RIP Shags
 

Inevitable unfortunately, dodgy operation, love ya work shags, go well.

I had absolutely no problem with them at all, great set up