New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:54 pmby littleport2003
Just saw on the news that a sightseeing helicopter has crashed into water just after take-off. It seems the pilot and passangers will be ok but have been taken to hospital. It is likely the crash was caused by engine problems.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/4094564.stmIf I hear anything else I will post it.
Matt
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:56 pmby Jimbo
Many many factors can cause a crash...has the news said anything certain?
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:56 pmby ozzy72
Would any of us trust a journalist?
The main thing is everyone got out okay, what kind of helicopter was it?
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:59 pmby littleport2003
I think it was a eurocopter squirrel but im not to good with helis so I could be wrong
Matt
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:53 pmby Fly2e
This is old news already here in New York.
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:58 pmby beefhole
Looks like the rotor may have clipped something, from what I've read. Although I'm not sure what it could've possibly clipped, as it was taking off from a heliport (those are generally clear of clippabe objects). It's amazing that everybody's alright.
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:07 pmby jrpilot
Thats amazing since I was just in NYC last week watching some helicopters taking off with tourist in the same area.
Re: New York Heli Crash!
Posted:
Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:41 pmby beaky
Coupla things not mentioned in Fly2's very detailed post:
The pilot, an Israeli AF vet, did a superb job of ditching the chopper, inflating the floats quickly, getting his pax out and on top of the wreck, then diving in after the lady who was hung up and in danger of drowning. An NYPD harbor boat happened to be nearby on a training mission, and its crew were able to help further. Lucky thing they were nearby- and the pilot kept his cool and did what was needed.
I haven't heard anything conclusive about the cause of the accident, but a passenger told the press he heard a loud noise just before all hell broke loose...
Under more controlled conditions, the floats would help keep the bird upright, but at least they kept it afloat long enough to save the woman (aside from being stunned and underwater, she apparently swallowed quite a bit of East River water mixed with fuel... nasty!) and provide a safe perch for the rest of the occupants until help arrived.
Very scary for all concerned, but at least they're all right (the hospitalized woman is expected to recover). Between the sightseeing flights and the VIP shuttles from that Wall Street heliport, there are a lot of chopper flights daily in that area, but these accidents are rare indeed.
