PPRuNe Forums - Risks of helicopter winching?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rottenjohn (Post 9482841)

shame, it seems to have disappeared, people might have learnt from what went wrong

From memory the cable ran off the drum due to incorrect tolerances set after a cable change. Most winch's generally will stop " full out " with 4-5 wraps on the drum, the cable will be secured to the drum with a small non load bearing grub screw.
From what I've heard this one, due to incorrect settings just kept on paying out until it came off.

9Aplus - that report is typical Daily Mail - a 'private helicopter pilot' who just happens to have access to a winch and crew equipped 365. What they appear to mean is that he was not 'state-employed'.

However, a good display of mountain flying skills and a well completed rescue - at least you don't have to worry about TR strikes in a 365.:ok:

I wonder how SMURD feel about this very public failure to deal with the incident? Or are their ac not winch equipped ie a standard Air Ambulance style ac?

Dick's original concerns may be reflected in this outcome from a fatal winch accident 3 years ago:

Death fall lawsuit: Ambulance Victoria 'failed' in rescue after hunting mishap near Lake Eildon

Quote:

THE wife of an injured hunter who fell to his death while being winched to an air ambulance is suing Ambulance Victoria for damages.

Robert Davis plunged 30m to his death after passing out and slipping from the harness while being rescued after a mishap on a hunting trip.

Fellow hunters called for help after the 65-year-old lost his footing and broke his ankle while walking in dense bush at Macs Cove, near Lake Eildon in August 2013.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report last year found the Sydney man was winched using an unsuitable “rescue strop”, which straps around a person’s torso.

As he reached the helicopter, he became “limp and unresponsive” and was “making no apparent attempt to hold on” as he slipped from the strop.

A paramedic tried desperately to grab his shoulder and arm, but he fell out and crashed to his death.

“The patient probably lost consciousness due to the compressive nature of the rescue strop around their chest,” the report said.

Mr Davis’s wife, Emi, says Ambulance Victoria failed in its duty of care to winch and treat her husband with reasonable skill, care and diligence.

In a writ lodged in the Supreme Court, she claims AV’s negligence included failing to: select an adequate extraction method; adequately assess the risk of using the harness; use a suitable harness; have appropriate equipment available; adequately assess Mr Davis’s condition, health and weight and their effect on winching him in the harness; and lower him when the winch was affected by the tree canopy.

Ms Davis, 62, says she was a dependant of Mr Davis, who, at the time of his death, worked part-time for Tradelink and ran his own business selling plumbing supplies.

The ATSB noted a rescue strop could harm even a healthy person’s heart and lung capacity. Mr Davis weighed 138kg and suffered from medical conditions, including chronic heart failure.

AV has since introduced a new seat-style harness and more education and training.

The ATSB said its findings were not designed to apportion blame.

Lawyer Barrie Woollacott of Slater & Gordon said the Davis family was still coming to terms with their loss.

“The Davis family hopes lessons can be learned from Robert’s untimely death to prevent any other family having to endure such grief,” Mr Woollacott said.

[email protected]

Was this winch necessary?

Ambulance Victoria Winching accident

And, as ever, the injured parties (or relatives of) concede no portion of responsibility for the deceased being 138Kgs with a litany of medical problems and going out hunting in that condition.

Frankly, winching him out was the only option since the terrain doesn't sound that good and carrying 138kgs cross country on a stretcher would have been more hazardous to the rescuers.

They could, of course, have chosen not to winch him and let nature take its course............and then they would have been sued for not rescuing him.

And then there's this

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3760920/Private-helicopter-pilot-performs-jaw-dropping-rescue-stranded-tourist-2000m-Carpathian-Mountains-Romania.html

I subscribe to HeliOps magazine on facebook and they linked to this story.

MB, nice attempt to deflect that you are a DM reader :)

9APlus posted it last night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowherespecial (Post 9489595)

MB, nice attempt to deflect that you are a DM reader :)

9APlus posted it last night.

NS, sorry about the double post. I should have scrolled further back up the page. Lol definitely not a DM reader. Didn't know it existed til I read this article.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperF (Post 9478964)

crab, it didn't snap. what did someone say about trusting witnesses versions of events a few days ago. even "professionals" can get the story totally wrong. An AD or safety note or something came out from CAA. i think the winch seized, or something.

Funny that the doctor said he didn't drop, but the witnesses are certain about what they saw....:ugh:

I know an engineer who knows a bit about it. Nothing wrong with the winch . More likely that the red paint on the last couple of metres was ignored/ not spotted