Missing single seat chopper and pilot, NW of W.A.
Seems like one of the NW of W.A. cattle station blokes has gone down in the rugged country between Port Hedland and Nullagine yesterday afternoon (28/07/15).
I trust he's O.K., but I fear the worst. That country isn't exactly full of forgiving vegetation. It appears from the news pic he was flying a homebuilt? Anyone know anything about his little machine? Police commence search for overdue chopper and pilot in NW of W.A. |
News outlets are now stating his chopper was an experimental class of machine. I understand there are two local station choppers, a charted fixed wing aircraft, and also reportedly, the Dornier 328 of AMSA, now involved in the search.
Here's hoping he just had some minor mechanical problems and just had to do an unscheduled landing, and wait for help. Fortunately, the weather conditions in the region are relatively mild at this time of year. In Summer, there can be some pretty torrid heat out there. |
A Mosquito ? A Canadian kit design. Various engine fits, mainly 2 cylinder 2 stroke/cycle.
There are some examples in WA |
The media and the police have now taken the unusual step of identifying the missing pilot.
He's named as local highly experienced mustering identity, Ross McDowell, who runs Rossy Rotor Aviation out of a Port Hedland address. The additional media pic shows him refuelling an R22 - but it appears the missing aircraft isn't the R22 in the additional media photo. W.A. Today - missing helicopter search |
It's reported that the wreckage of Ross's chopper has been found this afternoon, and Ross is deceased. Police report that the crash was "catastrophic" and it appears Ross was killed instantly.
Sad to hear of such a disastrous end for a highly experienced operator. RIP. ABC news - missing W.A. helicopter pilot confirmed dead in crash |
Dreadful news.
Rossy was a true character of the industry and an absolute gentleman. He will be sadly missed. |
Rossy was a great guy. He gave me my first start when others wouldn't. Willing to take a chance on a young bloke. Something I will never forget, some 20 years later and still flying helicopters in this funny old industry. 'When ya forest ghosts start to motor call Rossy Rotor' haha
RIP old mate! |
It's reported that Ross's kit-built machine was a Cicare CH-7Bt, fitted with a turbocharged Rotax 914.
The police report says wreckage was spread over 200 metres, thus indicating a high-speed impact. No indication yet of whether an in-flight break-up was responsible - but with a 30,000 hour mustering veteran at the controls, something catastrophic certainly appears to have happened. Airworks had a story on their website about the build, but the site page has now been taken down. Pilot dies as kit-built helicopter crashes |
but with a 30,000 hour mustering veteran at the controls, something catastrophic certainly appears to have happened. Rossy was a great guy, but speculation is best left until after the investigation (if there is even one given it was experimental). Condolences to friends and family. |
True Havick, the gentleman might easily have had a heart attack and lost it. From what is reported the ATSB will be investigating which is good as a few years back they weren't even interested in anything rotary much less than 5700 kg. I think we would all be interested to hear how many bad accidents in this type. I note one of the press reports noting that as it was experimental that it could not be used commercially?
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I think that's true TET. I'm flying an R44 at the mo with 'experimental' stickers on the side which cannot be used commercially.
Cheers FP |
Say what?
Two things interest me from the recent discussions. First from TET:
From what is reported the ATSB will be investigating which is good as a few years back they weren't even interested in anything rotary much less than 5700 kg. Next the comment from Flying Pan: I'm flying an R44 at the mo with 'experimental' stickers Bemused Blakmax |
Blaxmax,
Let me clarify. The experimental sticker on the 44 means I cannot fly it as a commercial helicopter, so no fare paying passengers or mustering. The stickers do not bypass any CASA regulations, in fact it has tighter ones hence the stickers. No ADs ignored. I cannot speak for TET regarding crash investigations under 5700kgs. But there is anecdotal evidence of previous mustering crashes which haven't had the 'full' investigation if it's just the pilot concerned. Cheers FP |
the gentleman might easily have had a heart attack and lost it |
About 25% of all heart attacks occur without any warning or previous symptoms. Aviation medicals do not normally do a full cardiac workup, in any case. That would include such things as a stress treadmill test. Normal test for firefighters, but not for pilots.
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Thanks for the clarification FP.
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Over here the goal post for medical shift every year especially if one is of the aged (or more wooded?) variety. Over sixty it is mandatory to do a stress ECG. I.E. run up the treadmill and kick some dudes backside up there. This pilot was 62. I agree the probability of a serious medical problem by one of Ross's lifestyle is extremely low, he cleanly was never one to indulge in sedentary mannerisms.
He was scheduled to arrive well before last light so low vis is not an issue. yes we have had scant regard from ATSB at times and a few years back they had some serious problems addressing quite some mandatory reportable bingles. I have sent blakmax a pm. The ATSB investigation number is AO-2015-89. Nothing much there as yet, rumours have it as a structural failure as the local police have indicated in their media report. Ross was always looking for something outside the square including quite some research and a recent film doco on drones. I had the privilege to do his '47 and or mustering endorsement way back, sometime, '82 maybe. frying pan, why would you be operating an R44 in the experimental category? cheers tet |
TET
Thanks for the PM. Now I am worried because I am 68 and I avoid exercise because I am allergic to it. (It brings me out in a sweat and I am very short of breath every time I try.) Now I have heard from my contacts that one blade was found well away from the impact site. Does anyone have confirmation of that? If so, can anyone explain how a heart attack would cause a blade separation? This really gets back to TETs comment that ATSB does not care if it is a light/home-built/experimental aircraft. They only investigate significant events where a commercial rating applies and there are significant casualties. What about if the causes of an "insignificant" crash in which some poor bastard dies actually may have relevance to a more significant event but in the mean time they have not developed the investigative skills based on the "insignificant" crashes to actually draw the correct conclusions? I refer you to page 8 of this paper, where three examples are resented of official investigations in which the official conclusions in relation to structural failures associated with adhesive bonds may be open to question: http://www.adhesionassociates.com/pa...0Explained.pdf These are AUS/NZ examples but I suggest that the level of understanding of adhesive bond failure forensics world-wide in many recognised crash investigation authorities is significantly deficient. Regards Blakmax |
Adhesive bond failure
Having had one of these failures in a Canadian 212 main blade (blakmax knows the story) I agree with everything he says.
The TSB Class 3 (means fairly serious) investigation agreed that the blade had delaminated, but were unable to determine exactly why. I can report that after ~22K in the biz I have never been that ****-scared in my life - and I've had my share of engine/component/systems failures. :\ |
TET,
To answer your query. The experimental R44 is due to a conversion. The yaw control is on the cyclic in a twist grip. The pedals are still there and move as well but the pilot destined to fly it is paralysed from the waist down so the feet controls are pointless. It's actually very easy to fly, regardless of people's views on Robinsons, the feel of the yaw with your fingers is much more sensitive than with your Steel Blue boots on....so to speak. It's still under going approval and I'm convinced it will get through. For cynics out there, it's not destined to be flown solo under this system. Cheers FP |
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