PPRuNe Forums - Hobart accident

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)

- Rotorheads (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/)

- - Hobart accident (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/601580-hobart-accident.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SICKorSKI (Post 9949025)

News breaking now in Tasmania

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/helicopter-crash-at-hobart-airport/news-story/98f4d15f7807210429eab3333bf89a9b

Radio report at 20:00 hrs local from abc reporter says one killed one “critically injured”
Helicopter came down hard on grass just off runway.
Hobart Airport closed to flights.

Long weekend in Melbourne due to Melb cup so it’s likely to be busier than usual??

Mjb

Helicopter crash at Hobart Airport

Quote:

UPDATED: The aviation watchdog has launched an investigation into the fatal helicopter crash at Hobart Airport and is calling for witnesses.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said two interstate investigators would shortly travel to the site to start the probe.
The fatal crash involved a single engine AS350BA Squirrel helicopter believed to be operated by Rotorlift which performs aerial duties for the state’s emergency services.
“A team of two Transport Safety Investigators from Brisbane and Canberra will travel to the site shortly to begin their investigation,” an ATSB spokesperson said.
“The ATSB encourages anyone who witnessed the accident to call 1800 020 616.“No further information about the accident is available at this time.” A preliminary report into the air disaster will be handed down in about 30 days.

EARLIER: Police say a person has died and another is in a critical condition following a helicopter crash at Hobart Airport.
Hobart Airport has been shut down and people have been moved outside.

http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a...815b?width=650

A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed the incident.

“The ATSB has been advised that there has been an accident at Hobart Airport involving a helicopter with two people aboard,” the spokesman said.

“We understand that emergency services are in attendance and we will be gathering more information before deciding whether to launch an investigation.”

Witness Adele Khoury said the helicopter came in from the Pittwater area, and was flying about tree height before performing a loop and descending into a nose dive.

“There was a puff of smoke,” she said.

Emergency vehicles have converged on the scene, including two ambulances.

One ambulance was seen speeding back towards Hobart city just after 6pm.

Mrs Khoury said the crash occurred about 5.30pm.

Quote:

was flying about tree height before performing a loop and descending into a nose dive.

I have experienced a similar thing in an AS350 at high speed, moved the cyclic too fast and got a jack stall and control lockup. But I had altitude to recover, perhaps these unfortunates did not.

Performing a loop from tree top height doesn't leave much room for error, especially in a helicopter...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulliBell (Post 9949221)

Performing a loop from tree top height doesn't leave much room for error, especially in a helicopter...

Witness quote from someone picking up her husband.
To be taken with a grain of salt.

If anything like a “loop” was performed, I’d suggest the “maneuver” may have been associated with some sort of control malfunction. Pure conjecture on my part.

RIP the person that has died.
Early reports are it may have been someone quite well known in the Tasmanian industry.
My thoughts are with those that are directly affected. A very sad time.

Local police expect to interview the survivor in 24 to 48 hours....they should be able to work out what went wrong quite soon I would expect. Prangs at airport boundaries from arriving helicopters tend to be fuel starvation related, however from the description in this instance it seems like loss of control for whatever reason...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulliBell (Post 9949347)

however from the description in this instance it seems like loss of control for whatever reason...

That's probably why such a manoeuvre is prohibited in this aircraft in the first place......:ouch:

Quote:

If anything like a “loop” was performed, I’d suggest the “maneuver” may have been associated with some sort of control malfunction

Not a control malfunction, as this WILL happen to a 350 if the rotordisc is being loaded with enough G. It is flying the aircraft outside it's approved envelope, but it will not be the first time it has been done with an accident as a result either. If the report is correct about flying low and then a loop, I'd say a good yank in the cyclic when coming around the loop to recover realising being too low, would leave you with NO escape and hitting the ground as a result.....

Somehow I don't think a pilot would attempt a loop in view of the control tower. I think safe to assume the witness report of a loop was actually something else. The police said it just suddenly nose dived into the ground.

For loop, I’d read orbit.

Posts on Facebook are saying RIP Roger Corbin :( Sad to see its a long time stalwart of the Aussie industry.

From ABC news: "Inspector John Ward said it appeared to break in half and plummet to the ground from a height of 200 metres."

Tragic, very tragic!!!! RIP Roger :-( You were a fantastic guy, who was very thorough about your business ways, who built up a great business based on your skills & knowledge!

Quote:

Originally Posted by growahead (Post 9949786)

From ABC news: "Inspector John Ward said it appeared to break in half and plummet to the ground from a height of 200 metres."

The police spokesperson DID NOT say the tail broke off and it fell.
In response to a question about damage he said it had fallen 200 meters the tail had broken off and that it was a write off.
Press conference here, relevant section begins at 3.10 mark.
(Edit: new direct link)
https://www.facebook.com/themercury....5931747948408/

Spoke to ABC Hobart, who said their reporting was based on the above 9pm press conference.

Mjb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubian (Post 9949571)

That's probably why such a manoeuvre is prohibited in this aircraft in the first place......:ouch:

Not a control malfunction, as this WILL happen to a 350 if the rotordisc is being loaded with enough G. It is flying the aircraft outside it's approved envelope, but it will not be the first time it has been done with an accident as a result either. If the report is correct about flying low and then a loop, I'd say a good yank in the cyclic when coming around the loop to recover realising being too low, would leave you with NO escape and hitting the ground as a result.....

Yes yes, many (most?) of us are very aware of the “jack stall” characteristic of the AS350 model. Almost certainly including the pilot that died.

My suggestion was more along the lines of a servo breaking/becoming detached, causing a manovour that resembled a loop to an unknowledgable bystander.

Again; Pure conjecture.

Possible loss of control?

Why remove the name ??? Its all over Facebook with people expressing condolences. And also Hobart newspapers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiwiNedNZ (Post 9949964)

Why remove the name ??? Its all over Facebook with people expressing condolences. And also Hobart newspapers.

I see the name is confirmed, though if you believe what gets posted to facebook then I've got a bridge in Sydney harbour that I can sell yer cheap..:hmm:

Be careful pasting facebook claims to other forums as litigation may result.

Quote:

Originally Posted by What Red Line? (Post 9949927)

Like this one? https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/...21X00315&key=1

Yes, exactly like that one.
For the third time: pure conjecture on my part, and every pilots nightmare.

RIP