A pretty dramatic video here of an AStar or TwinStar, I can't tell which, going into the drink. It's not good to jump to conclusions from looking at a video, but it sure looks as if this pilot was not in control of this helicopter. That four people survived this crash says a great deal about the toughness of the airframe!I have 1100 hours in the AStar 350D (Ecureuil), and for the most part enjoyed flying that machine. But they sure seem to be having a rash of hydraulic systems failures in recent times.
UPDATED:
The second video happened longer ago than I thought- 4May 2004.
If you are interested, the accident report is here.
Has the Greybeard ever had any mishaps with the machine?
ReplyDelete"The Greybeard"-
ReplyDeletehe is embarrassed to have to air his dirty laundry on the blog!
Yes Dave, the Greybeard had a mishap...
22 March '88, at about 0300 hours, I was called to an accident scene involving a young pregnant woman who had fallen asleep at the wheel and crossed the Interstate median, striking an 18 wheeler head-on. The Landing Zone was tight- a fairly dramatic drop-off on one side, an overpass on another, and wires crossing close. The LongRanger I was flying had no searchlight... the only light I could shine on the LZ was the aircraft's normal landing/taxi lights.
I landed safely, but when I put the skids on the ground I found I was on an uncomfortable slope, so I picked the helicopter up to reposition it to more level ground. Moving the aircraft, I struck one of those metal stakes on the side of the road with the tail-rotor... the stakes with the silver reflectors on top. I just didn't see it.
I immediately knew what had happened and did a hovering autorotation to keep the helicopter from spinning out of control, but the damage was done... the patient had to be transported by ground, and we had to call a crane to load the helicopter on a flatbed to move it for repairs.
Almost 20 years ago...
The Greybeard thanks you for making me relate that story! ;>)