New Zealand helicopter crash

[tank slapper]

I don't think this flight went quite according to plan. Lucky pilot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15848...

[tog]

Very lucky!

There's a slightly longer clip on TVNZ's site.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/auckland-chopper-c...

[Eric Mc]

The NZ news presenter doesn't understand what a 360 degree revolution is.

[lazyitus]

Blimey !

I think he'll require a fresh set of pants. At least.

[Simpo Two]

Never mind, from the same page here's an 'aerobotic plane':

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-1100...

[Eric Mc]

What does "aerobotic" mean?

Do TV newsreaders know anything?

[Munter]

Eric Mc said:

Do TV newsreaders know anything?

No. And have not for many years. As soon as it's anything with a bit more than an "and finally" type story about everyday life. They are screwed and just regurgitate whatever they manage to 1/2 read off the autocue.

[scubadude]

The tail seemed to come of with frightening ease, I couldn't see the tail rotor in the footage, assume it got hung up?

Very lucky for all concerned that noone was seriously hurt, pilot seemed to almost "fall out" did he have a seat/lap belt on?

[tog]

Eric Mc said:

The NZ news presenter doesn't understand what a 360 degree revolution is.

Maybe it's different in the southern hemisphere, like water flowing down plugholes...

[Eric Mc]

tog said:

Eric Mc said:

The NZ news presenter doesn't understand what a 360 degree revolution is.

Maybe it's different in the southern hemisphere, like water flowing down plugholes...

Except that's not true either.

[Shar2]

It looks like a cable got caught in the main rotor which caused an imbalance, as you can see the main rotor gear box coming away from the fuselage. The tail seems to have snapped at the tail rotor shaft transfer box connection. Certainly not a problem with the tail rotor.

[Steve_D]

If you look carefully you can see his seat back break then he is thrown almost out of the side door.

Steve

[thinfourth2]

Shar2 said:

It looks like a cable got caught in the main rotor which caused an imbalance, as you can see the main rotor gear box coming away from the fuselage. The tail seems to have snapped at the tail rotor shaft transfer box connection. Certainly not a problem with the tail rotor.

Well apart from the tail falling off

[IhateChristmas]

Ouch! bet he'll feel that the next morning. Very lucky.

[Shar2]

thinfourth2 said:

Shar2 said:

It looks like a cable got caught in the main rotor which caused an imbalance, as you can see the main rotor gear box coming away from the fuselage. The tail seems to have snapped at the tail rotor shaft transfer box connection. Certainly not a problem with the tail rotor.

Well apart from the tail falling off

Well yes, apart from that. But it wasn't the tail ROTOR that was the problem.

[trickywoo]

Why was it being operated in an area like that anyway?

I doubt even in a life or death rescue operation a competent pilot would fly that close to cables etc.

All to put up a Christmas tree.

[freecar]

trickywoo said:

Why was it being operated in an area like that anyway?

I doubt even in a life or death rescue operation a competent pilot would fly that close to cables etc.

All to put up a Christmas tree.

Thankyou, I thought I was the only one questioning the logic behind an act like this, it's a job for a ladder or scaffolding not a helicopter!

[Munter]

freecar said:

Thankyou, I thought I was the only one questioning the logic behind an act like this, it's a job for a ladder or scaffolding not a helicopter!

I have to say I was also thinking it. I don't know too much about flying things. But not flying choppers next to cables/poles/other solid things seems to be a regular feature of TV shows about such things.

[IhateChristmas]

No Australian or Kiwi are going to be bothered by things like that. Glad no one was hurt but I do love the idea of using a helicopter in a crowded area to put up a Christmas tree.

[tog]

Eric Mc said:

Except that's not true either.

Exactly, but let's not start that argument here!