Syria A320 mid air collision
FWIW:
Main Rotor is what sticks out furthest from any helicopter, all around the helicopter, with the exception of the tail section and tail rotor on most helicopters. Hence, MOST likely point of contact during a midair. (For tandems like Chinook, you are back to Main Rotor is what sticks out furthest from any helicopter, though the nitpickers will point to refueling probes on some helicopters sticking out a bit further).
Main Rotor is what sticks out furthest from any helicopter, all around the helicopter, with the exception of the tail section and tail rotor on most helicopters. Hence, MOST likely point of contact during a midair. (For tandems like Chinook, you are back to Main Rotor is what sticks out furthest from any helicopter, though the nitpickers will point to refueling probes on some helicopters sticking out a bit further).
I won't hold my breath that this ever gets into the public domain
Otherwise one would certainly have to question the wisdom of the routing of the A320...
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Admiral, that would not happen as there are hydraulic fuses fitted which sense pressure loss and activate (close) when a pressure drop is detected.
Don't you mean the hydraulic leak measurement valves?
Anyway, I was of the understanding that they are a manually operated mechanics function via the overhead panel on/off buttons???
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You mean to tell me that there has been a mid-air collision that nearly brought down an airliner and this has NOT been covered by mainstream media and all we have is a SINGLE picture?
I smell a rat.
I smell a rat.
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Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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From the pictures I have seen it looks as though the Airbus flew up under the helicopter rotor disk and the main rotor clipped the top of the fin.
''Quote: Admiral, that would not happen as there are hydraulic fuses fitted which sense pressure loss and activate (close) when a pressure drop is detected.
matkat
Don't you mean the hydraulic leak measurement valves?
Anyway, I was of the understanding that they are a manually operated mechanics function via the overhead panel on/off buttons???''
There are both. The hyd fuses are separate from the leak measurement valves.
matkat
Don't you mean the hydraulic leak measurement valves?
Anyway, I was of the understanding that they are a manually operated mechanics function via the overhead panel on/off buttons???''
There are both. The hyd fuses are separate from the leak measurement valves.
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The most shocking aspect of this event, is that if it happened to an SAA crew at FL120, it could happen to anyone - or me.
The investigation questions are obvious;
What was a heli doing at FL120?
Was either crew cleared to be there?
Controlled, or uncontrolled airspace? Was it see & avoid?
IMC or VMC? (CAVOK by definition does not apply above 5000').
See & avoid in a modern airliner is an uncomfortable position to be in. Closure speeds are too great, and even looking for an other aircraft where you know its position can be difficult.
They were very lucky not to loose both airframes, but I guess sometimes fate is on your side.
The investigation questions are obvious;
What was a heli doing at FL120?
Was either crew cleared to be there?
Controlled, or uncontrolled airspace? Was it see & avoid?
IMC or VMC? (CAVOK by definition does not apply above 5000').
See & avoid in a modern airliner is an uncomfortable position to be in. Closure speeds are too great, and even looking for an other aircraft where you know its position can be difficult.
They were very lucky not to loose both airframes, but I guess sometimes fate is on your side.
From the pictures I have seen it looks as though the Airbus flew up under the helicopter rotor disk and the main rotor clipped the top of the fin
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Pictures look like rotor-blade-impact.
Did a quick search in the net.
Mi17 has a height of 5.65m.
A320 has 11.76m.
Wing passes underneath the helicopter, VS hits the rotor.
Did a quick search in the net.
Mi17 has a height of 5.65m.
A320 has 11.76m.
Wing passes underneath the helicopter, VS hits the rotor.
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Definate rotor strikes.
Helicopter coming in from the right hand side of the Airbus.
I would (very roughly) guess at the relative speeds giving an approach angle of something like from the A320 pilot's 11 oclock, and anything from the 2 o'clock to the 4 o'clock for the Mi8 pilot.
First blade (rotating clockwise seen from above) strikes the lower shallower cut, then second blade comes in deeper and shears off the top of the A320 tail.
Alternatively, the A320 was parked, and the Mi8 hover-taxied into the back of it from the 7 o'clock.......
Helicopter coming in from the right hand side of the Airbus.
I would (very roughly) guess at the relative speeds giving an approach angle of something like from the A320 pilot's 11 oclock, and anything from the 2 o'clock to the 4 o'clock for the Mi8 pilot.
First blade (rotating clockwise seen from above) strikes the lower shallower cut, then second blade comes in deeper and shears off the top of the A320 tail.
Alternatively, the A320 was parked, and the Mi8 hover-taxied into the back of it from the 7 o'clock.......
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I suspect that it is more likely in that scenario that the Vert Stab hit the
copters fuselage and not the rotor.
Alternatively, the A320 was parked, and the Mi8 hover-taxied into the back of it from the 7 o'clock
ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A320-232 YK-AKF Duma
Looks like a rotor strike on that vert fin of the Airbus.
With that damage, nice job getting her down.
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 1st Oct 2012 at 19:41.
