Helicopter crash - Fenland wings & wheels
Discussion
Mate of mine just sent me a message that a helicopter has crashed earlier today at Fenland airfield as part of the wings and wheels display.
Hope all are okay. Anybody else know more details.
https://thumbsnap.com/JW2w2H4Z
Hope all are okay. Anybody else know more details.
https://thumbsnap.com/JW2w2H4Z
Edited by MB140 on Sunday 1st July 17:59
I watched the incident occur.
The helo got airborne at around 15:30 and flew a rather 'sporty' low level departure from the hangar area into a right tun onto a downwind (westerly) direction. Upon approaching the clear area to the east of RW 18/36 and north of RW 08/26, it suddenly pulled a lot of nose up attitude (at about 50ft agl), almost as if it were a 'quick stop' over the ploughed field. It then started to descend, with the rate of descent bulding rapidly from about 20ft agl before striking the ground in a tail down attitude. The aircraft then proceeded to bounce forward causing the main rotor to strike the ground. The main rotor came apart and the aircraft then rolled onto its left side.
Airfield staff got the pilot out and an ambulance was called, although I was told the pilot was apparently uninjured but suffering from shock.
Fortunately there was no fire.
The helo got airborne at around 15:30 and flew a rather 'sporty' low level departure from the hangar area into a right tun onto a downwind (westerly) direction. Upon approaching the clear area to the east of RW 18/36 and north of RW 08/26, it suddenly pulled a lot of nose up attitude (at about 50ft agl), almost as if it were a 'quick stop' over the ploughed field. It then started to descend, with the rate of descent bulding rapidly from about 20ft agl before striking the ground in a tail down attitude. The aircraft then proceeded to bounce forward causing the main rotor to strike the ground. The main rotor came apart and the aircraft then rolled onto its left side.
Airfield staff got the pilot out and an ambulance was called, although I was told the pilot was apparently uninjured but suffering from shock.
Fortunately there was no fire.
Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Sunday 1st July 18:09
What was it. I was trying to guess from the picture.
Perhaps a rotoway home build. Very hard to tell from the picture.
Sounds like it got in to a vortex ring state perhaps
Glad the pilot got out ok and nobody got hurt
Perhaps a rotoway home build. Very hard to tell from the picture.
Sounds like it got in to a vortex ring state perhaps
Glad the pilot got out ok and nobody got hurt
Edited by MB140 on Sunday 1st July 18:58
Edited by MB140 on Sunday 1st July 18:59
Eric Mc said:
Was it a visiting aircraft or part of the display?
No it was a Fenland based aircraft. I believe he was taking off to depart the airfield.I watched it alongside one of the Fenland Private Pilots who is a friend of mine and made the comment at the time "Ooh that's a bit sporty" as he got airborne, given it was a low level departure with quite a rapid transition into forward flight, combined with an almost immediate right turn, and very close to the crowdline/parked classic cars.
I was just about to say "Nothing ever good resulted from the comment 'Watch this'" when the crash occurred.
Good evening,
I was one of the people today helping out at fenland wings and wheels, the bloke flying the helicopter has been taken to hospital with shoulder injuries last I heard, he was the only occupant and from the video footage I had he hit the ground hard to reason I’m not speculating but he appeared to be slowing down, and this resulted in a tail strike followed by an out of control roll onto its side.
I was one of the people today helping out at fenland wings and wheels, the bloke flying the helicopter has been taken to hospital with shoulder injuries last I heard, he was the only occupant and from the video footage I had he hit the ground hard to reason I’m not speculating but he appeared to be slowing down, and this resulted in a tail strike followed by an out of control roll onto its side.
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
No it was a Fenland based aircraft. I believe he was taking off to depart the airfield.
I watched it alongside one of the Fenland Private Pilots who is a friend of mine and made the comment at the time "Ooh that's a bit sporty" as he got airborne, given it was a low level departure with quite a rapid transition into forward flight, combined with an almost immediate right turn, and very close to the crowdline/parked classic cars.
I was just about to say "Nothing ever good resulted from the comment 'Watch this'" when the crash occurred.
Sounds like he might have been playing to the audience.I watched it alongside one of the Fenland Private Pilots who is a friend of mine and made the comment at the time "Ooh that's a bit sporty" as he got airborne, given it was a low level departure with quite a rapid transition into forward flight, combined with an almost immediate right turn, and very close to the crowdline/parked classic cars.
I was just about to say "Nothing ever good resulted from the comment 'Watch this'" when the crash occurred.
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
MB140 said:
What was it. I was trying to guess from the picture.
I don't know enough about Civie helos to say. It was a 2 seat, twin blade rotor, design.Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Sunday 1st July 19:46
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