Helicopter

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    Squirrel Crash Kills Aussie Pilot

    What: Eurocopter AS 350B2 Ecureuil
    Where: 36km south of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea
    When: Feb 13, 2011
    Who: Pilot Mal Smith
    Why: While flying from the Eastern Highlands centre of Goroka to Manus for mining contractors, Australian Sunshine Coast helicopter pilot Lloyd Lester suffered engine failure in a Eurocopter AS350 P2-PHL Ecureuil, and crashed into the Bismarck sea en route to Manus Island. Eyewitnesses report indicate that the engine lost power, started up and lost power again.

    Pacific Helicopters owner, Mal Smith (who is also Eastern Highlands Province governor) said some of the wreckage was found, but not the engine or Mr Lester. He was hopeful he would be found alive, but three helicopters and two planes searched an area 24 kilometres to the west and 70 kilometres to south of Baluan Island and Mr Lester was not found. Nearby islands are being searched in case he made it to shore.

    Lester is from Papua New Guinea

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    U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin Highlight M-TADS/PNVS Performance as Production Reaches 1,000 Systems

    ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 16, 2011 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) marked the delivery of the 1,000th Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system to the U.S. Army at ceremonies held today at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL. M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead®, is the advanced targeting and pilotage system for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.

    “The M-TADS/PNVS is a game-changer on the battlefield and has ensured Longbow Apaches remain dominant in support of our ground soldiers,” said Col. Shane Openshaw, U.S. Army project manager for Apache Attack Helicopter. “This combat-tested system has shown, through over five years of continuous combat operations since the first unit was fielded, that an Apache equipped with M-TADS/PNVS is the most lethal and survivable attack helicopter in the world.”

    M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache pilots with the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities to ensure mission success and flight safety in day, night and adverse weather missions. It employs state-of-the-art forward-looking infrared sensors to provide Apache pilots with enhanced image resolution, giving them the complementary benefits of significant standoff range and unrivaled targeting capabilities. M-TADS/PNVS improves performance and reliability over legacy TADS/PNVS systems by more than 150 percent, reduces maintenance actions by nearly 60 percent, and will save the U.S. Army nearly $1 billion in operation and support costs over its 20-year system life.

    “Teamwork has been the secret to the success of this program,” said David Belvin, director of Apache programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin and its suppliers worked together as a team to achieve an unprecedented rapid development and production program to support the warfighter.”
    “U.S. Apaches are nearly completely equipped with this incredible system, and we will have retrofitted all of our Longbows in the field by the summer of 2011,” added Col. Openshaw. “In addition, many allied force Apaches around the world are M-TADS/PNVS-equipped, greatly enhancing their capability to conduct attack operations and to integrate with U.S. and NATO forces. This production milestone, the delivery of M-TADS/PNVS number 1,000, is another tremendous achievement for this outstanding program.”

    The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin the original M-TADS/PNVS contract in 2003. The first system was delivered to a U.S. Army Apache in theater in 2005. Previous milestones include the 250th system delivery in 2007 and the 500th delivery in 2008. During this period, M-TADS/PNVS was delivered at a rate of over 20 units per month. The 1,000th delivery ceremony signifies another important step in Lockheed Martin’s support of Army Aviation. Additional domestic and international deliveries will continue through 2014. Electronics assembly of M-TADS/PNVS is performed at the Lockheed Martin facility in Ocala, FL. Final assembly is performed at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Orlando, FL.

    Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 132,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

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    Newfoundland Sikorsky Crash: Final


    Pictured: Couger-owned Sikorsky S-61N Helicopter
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Phil Earle
    On March 12, 2009, about 0926 ADT, Atlantic Daylight Time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter, Canadian registry C-GZCH, operated by Cougar Helicopters, impacted the waters of the North Atlantic about 28 miles east of Cape Spear near St. John’s, Newfoundland. There were two pilots, Pilot Matthew William Thomas Davis, 34, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and First Officer Tim Lanouette, 48, of Comox, British Columbia, both of whomdied in the accident, and 16 passengers on board the helicopter. One passenger, Robert Decker, survived with serious injuries, but the other occupants were fatally injured. The helicopter was en route from St. John’s International Airport (CYYT) to an offshore oil platform in the Hibernia oil field. The pilot made a MAYDAY call due to a mechanical difficulty, and was returning to St. John’s at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and the sea state had 3 – 5 meter swells. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed.

    The NTSB has recommended that any gearbox losing oil pressure should have the capacity to run dry for 30 minutes before failure. In the case of Flight 491, the elapsed time between the warning light and the ditching of the aircraft in the sea was 11 minutes. Two of the three main gearbox mounting studs were broken. When they broke, the helicopter lost oil rapidly and the gears began to overheat.

    On March 23, 2009, Sikorsky released a bulletin that most of the world’s S-92TM helicopter fleet already had complied with the company notice to retrofit the aircraft’s gearbox oil bowl with steel mounting studs.

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    Wolf-hunting Helicopter Crashes Killing Crew

    What: Rostov ROSTO
    Where: 20 km from Naryn-Khuduk, Kalmykia Russia
    When: Feb 6 2011
    Who: 2 aboard, 2 fatalities
    Why: At around 14:00, the crew made an emergency landing because of engine trouble and then fixed it. The helicopter was engaged in shooting wolves in the Chernozemelskiy region of Kalmykia. Shortly after liftoff, the Mi-2 helicopter crashed Saturday, killing both crew members (pilot and mechanic). The helicopter—reportedly belonging to either the “Russian Defense Sports and Technical Organization” or “Aero Club”—apparently could not keep aloft.

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    Medical Evacuation Halted

    What: Memorial Star medical helicopter en route from accident scene to Memorial Hospital
    Where: Midland Elementary off Broadway Street just south of Highway 24, Colorado Spring
    When: Jan 28, 2010
    Who: patient and crew
    Why: While transporting a 62 year old medical patient, the helicopter’s yellow caution light indicated the helicopter was experiencing mechanical problems. The crew decided to make a precautionary landing on an elementary school field.

    The patient was taken to Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

    A mechanic looked over the helicopter. No problems were reported.

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    President Lands Helicopter

    What: Robinson R44
    Where: near Cobquecura
    When: Jan 23, 2010
    Who: Sebastian Pinera President of Chile
    Why: A recently released report by Radio Bio Bio said that Sebastian Pinera was flying a helicopter to his house, and a fuel supply problem forced him to land on the highway, that he was picked up by a police helicopter and flown to his house.

    The President denies that report, and says instead that he stopped for fuel at a town near Cobquecura. The stop was not an emergency landing at all, that he was having lunch with a friend then heading to his Caburga home.

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    Cougar Eurocopter crashes in Saudi Arabia

    What: Royal Saudi Air Force Eurocopter AS532M Cougar en route to Hawtah Bani Tamim
    Where: 22 miles south of Riyadh
    When: Jan 7 2011
    Who: 4 passengers, 4 fatalities
    Why: While en route to pick up a patient in Hawtah Bani Tamim, the medical evacuation helicopter crashed.

    Fatalities included pilot Capt. Khaled Al-Dakhil,First Lt. Mandeel Al-Subaihi, Egyptian doctor Amjad Al-Iraqi and the Filipino nurse

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    Shenandoah Crash Fatalities Named in Mid-Air Collision

    What: Cessna 172H
    Where: Staunton, Virginia
    When: Dec 31, 2010, 2 pm
    Who: 2 fatalities, 2 aboard.
    Why: AirCare 5, a medical-evacuation Eurocopter EC135 bumped off the Cessna’s left wing, after which the Cessna crashed, killing the two aboard.

    The registered owner of the plane is Michael W. Price of Elkton, Va. The victims were Jason Allen Long, 32, of Edinburg, and Jacob Houston Kiser, 19, of Grottoes.

    Three people, pilot Paul Weve, co-pilot and flight nurse Joseph Root and flight nurse Carolyn Booke were aboard the Eurocopter, which landed safely. They had just dropped off a patient at the University of Virginia Medical Center. PHI Inc. of Lafayette, Louisiana owns the helicopter which is based at Weyers Cave Airport. The helicopter pilot has been praised in the media for making an amazing landing.

    Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is 30 miles northwest of Charlottesville. SHD is an “uncontrolled airport” with no air traffic control tower.

    FAA:DESCRIPTION N385PH PHI INC AIRCARE FLIGHT 5 EUROCOPTER EC135 ROTORCRAFT COLLIDED MIDAIR WITH N2876L CESSNA C172 AIRCRAFT UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS IN N2876L CESSNA C172 AIRCRAFT WERE FATALLY INJURED WHEN IT CRASHED IN A FIELD, THE N385PH ROTORCRAFT LANDED WITH NO INJURIES, SHENANDOAH VALLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT, WEYERS CAVE, VA

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    Crashed Cessna Grazed Med-Evac Chopper

    What: Cessna 172H
    Where: Staunton, Virginia
    When: Dec 31, 2010, 2 pm
    Who: 2 fatalities, 2 aboard.
    Why: As the privately owned Cessna was departing Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, half of a mile from the airport, the plane grazed the top of AirCare 5, a medical-evacuation Eurocopter EC135 and the Cessna crashed, killing the two aboard.

    The registered owner of the plane is Michael W. Price of Elkton, Va.

    Three people, pilot Paul Weve, co-pilot and flight nurse Joseph Root and flight nurse Carolyn Booke were aboard the helicopter, which landed safely. They had just dropped off a patient at the University of Virginia Medical Center. PHI Inc. of Lafayette, Louisiana owns the helicopter which is based at Weyers Cave Airport.

    Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is 30 miles northwest of Charlottesville. SHD is an “uncontrolled airport” with no air traffic control tower.

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    Helicopter Crash in Ukraine Kills 4


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Olaf Juergensmeier

    What: Aerospatiale SA-341G Gazelle en route from Odessa to Nikolaev.
    Where: Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
    When: Dec 26, 2010
    Who: 40 year old Pilot and 3 passengers
    Why: While flying in thick fog, the helicopter crashed, killing the occupants. The passengers were girls between the ages of 18 and 22. The helicopter performed private flights for a luxury chalet in Dnipropetrovsk.

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    Helicopter Crash in India

    What: Pawan Hans Aérospatiale AS365 N3 Dauphin
    Where: Chandigarh Airport India
    When: Dec 16, 2010
    Who: 2 pilots, S P S Brar and M S Brar
    Why: While en route to pick up a government official Punjab Industries Minister Manorajan Kalia to Mukerian in Hoshiarpur distric, after takeoff from Chandigarh Airport, the helicopter tilted and fell to the ground, and caught afire. The helicopter had been leased to the Indian government for the past 14 years.

    The pilots managed to get out of the burning helicopter alive. They have been hospitalized at Western Command Hospital at Panchkula.

    An inquiry is underway.

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    Prison Transport Helicopter Crashes in Mexico, several fatalities

    What: Mexico’s Atty General’s Office Bell 412 helicopter#HFJ XC
    Where: Veracruz, Mexico
    When: December 8, 2010, 16:30
    Who: 4 fatalities, 11 aboard
    Why: While en route to Villa Aldama prison, the helicopter, carrying Pilot, copilot, six federal police, a prosecutor and two detainees crashed in bad weather, strong winds, low visibility. There were three fatalities on the scene, three injured. Later it was confirmed 4 guards were killed, the two pilots are in serious condition.

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    Safety Alert for Operators: 14 CFR, parts 91, 133, and 137 and Helicopter hot fueling/loading

    U.S. Department of Transportation
    Federal Aviation Administration
    SAFO
    Safety Alert for Operators
    SAFO 10020

    Flight Standards Service Washington, DC

    A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO.
    Subject: 14 CFR, parts 91, 133, and 137 and hot fueling/loading

    Purpose: This SAFO highlights current guidance and best-practices for Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, 133, and 137 operators that conduct fueling or chemical loading with the engines running (hot fueling/loading).

    Background: On May 30, 2009, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter operating under part 137 was being refueled with the engine running (hot fueling) when the ground crew spilled fuel onto the engine while trying to untangle a kink in the hose. The helicopter quickly caught fire and the pilot sustained serious injuries as a result. Additionally, on September 9, 2008, a Bell 206-B helicopter, operating under part 137, sustained substantial damage while conducting hot fueling and chemical loading simultaneously. After fueling was complete, but with the chemical hose still attached, the ground crew mistakenly gave an “all clear” hand signal to the pilot. As the pilot ascended, the chemical hose caused the helicopter to pitch nose down and roll to the right, contacting the ground.

    Recommended Action: Hot fueling/loading can be extremely hazardous and is not recommended except when absolutely necessary due to the nature of the operation. Operators who conduct hot fueling/loading should develop standard operating procedures (SOP) for flight and ground crew personnel. The operator’s procedures should address the following guidelines:

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that hot fueling be conducted only by aircraft utilizing JET A or JET A-1 fuel types. If strict operating procedures are not followed, hot fueling of aircraft utilizing AvGas can be extremely hazardous due to its low flash point. Aircraft being fueled while an engine is operating should have all potential ignition sources located above the fuel inlet port(s) and above fuel vent or tank openings. Sources of ignition include, but are not limited to: engines, exhausts, auxiliary power units (APU), and combustion-type cabin heater exhausts. In accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) section 91.9, hot fueling is not permitted if the Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual contains an associated operating limitation.
    • An appropriately certificated and rated pilot should be at the flight controls during the entire hot fueling/loading process with controls appropriately adjusted to prevent aircraft movement. The pilot should unbuckle all restraints, and be prepared to immediately shut-down the engine and egress the aircraft, if necessary. The pilot should not conduct any extraneous duties during hot fueling/loading. Other personnel should not be on-board the aircraft during hot fueling/loading.
    • Only designated personnel, with proper training in hot fueling/loading operations, should operate fueling or chemical loading equipment. The operator’s written procedures should include: precautions for safe handling of the fuel or chemical, emergency shutoff procedures, fire extinguisher use, hand signal use, and precautions regarding moving propeller and rotor blades.
    • At least two ground personnel should be present during hot fueling/loading. One person conducts the fueling/loading, while the other stands by prepared to activate the fuel/chemical emergency shutoff and handle fire extinguishers if necessary. The aircraft should remain well clear of the fuel source, and at no time should the aircraft wing or helicopter blades extend over the fueling source
    • Before fueling, the aircraft must be bonded to the fuel source to equalize static electricity between the fuel source and the aircraft. Grounding of the aircraft and/or fuel truck is no longer recommended because it does not prevent sparks at the fuel source, and the grounding cable may not be sufficient to discharge the electrical current.
    • All doors, windows, and access points allowing entry to the interior of the aircraft that are adjacent to, or in the immediate vicinity of, the fuel inlet ports should be closed and should remain closed during fueling operations.
    • Fuel should be dispensed into an open port only from approved deadman-type nozzles, with a flow rate not to exceed 10 gallons per minute (38 liters per minute). Close port pressure fueling ports are preferable because the potential for spillage is reduced.
    • A fire extinguisher of an appropriate type and size for the fueling operation must be within easy reach of ground personnel at all times during hot fueling operations. Operators who conduct hot fueling should also equip the aircraft with a fire extinguisher in the cockpit, if possible.
    • When fueling/loading is complete, the pilot must ensure that the seatbelt and shoulder harness are properly re-secured as necessary prior to any aircraft movement.
    • Operators should include this SAFO in initial and recurrent training programs for pilots and ground personnel.

    References:

      ? Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) – Helicopter Rapid Refueling
      ? AC 00-34A, Aircraft Ground Handling and Servicing
      ? National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 407 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing
      ? Include review of this SAFO in initial and recurrent training, and flight reviews.
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    Black Box Found

    What: NARZ Mi-8T helicopter RA-22376 en route from Kyshtovka
    Where: n the vicinity of the Krapivin oil field of OAO Tomskneft VNK in the Kargasoksky district
    When: November 25, 2010 12:12
    Who: Eight killed, three injured
    Why: The helicopter carrying shift workers and 1.6 tons of cargo had been hovering over the landing site when an uncontrolled rotation of the aircraft began. The Mi-8 drifted for about 50 meters, tipped over to its side, collapsed and caught fire. A criminal case has been initiated, a violation of traffic safety and air transport operation regulations, entail the death of two or more persons by negligence.

    The black box, previously reported as being missing, has been found.

    Read more

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    Bristow Group Inc. Announces $375 Million Credit Facility

    BRS announced today that it has entered into a $375 million senior secured credit facility, replacing the Company’s existing bank credit facilities and providing funds to redeem a portion of Bristow’s senior notes.  

    The new credit facility includes a five-year, $175 million revolving credit facility and a five-year, $200 million term loan.  The term loan will be used to redeem the Company’s $230 million, 6 1/8% senior notes due 2013 on December 23, 2010.  The revolving credit facility, which represents a $75 million increase in corporate liquidity, increases strategic and financial flexibility and will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital.  It is anticipated that the Company also will draw on the new $175 million revolver to fund the remaining portion of the redemption of the 6 1/8% senior notes.

    “We are committed to lowering our cost of capital and improving our financial performance in order to create superior value for all our stakeholders.  This new credit facility is just one step toward achieving that goal,” said William E. Chiles, Bristow’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  ”We expect this new facility to support our strategic and growth initiatives going forward, while improving overall liquidity.”

    Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and term loan bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, a Base Rate or LIBOR plus a borrowing margin ranging from 0.625% to 2.875% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  These margins were flexed downward by 0.125% across all levels from the initial syndicated pricing grid.  The initial margin for borrowings will be the greater of 2.50% per annum or the appropriate percentage based on the leverage ratio until delivery of the financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, when the borrowing margin will be determined by the Company’s leverage ratio.  Based upon current one-month LIBOR levels plus the borrowing margin of 2.50%, the all-in borrowing rate would be approximately 2.75% today.  Base Rate is defined as the higher of the per annum rate the administrative agent publicly announces as its prime lending rate as in effect from time to time and the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% per annum.

    The Company’s obligations under the new credit facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s principal domestic subsidiaries and secured by the U.S. accounts receivable, inventory and non-aircraft equipment of Bristow Group Inc. and the guarantor subsidiaries, and all and 65% of the capital stock of certain of the Company’s principal domestic and foreign subsidiaries, respectively.

    As a result of the redemption of the 6 1/8% notes, the Company will incur an approximately $2.3 million redemption premium and $2.4 million in non-cash expense associated with the write-off of unamortized debt issuance cost in the third fiscal quarter.  The $2.3 million redemption premium will be recorded to other income (expense), net, and the $2.4 million non-cash expense will be recorded to interest expense.  The approximately $4.7 million in total expense is expected to reduce earnings per share by approximately $0.12 in the third fiscal quarter, which includes a portion of the tax benefit recognized on this expense.  On an annualized basis, Bristow expects earnings per share to be reduced by $0.08, reflecting the full-year tax benefit.

    “We are fortunate to be partnering with such a solid bank group with better terms than our previous credit facilities and competitive rates for this new credit facility, as it will enable us to lower our cost of debt and increase our liquidity going forward.  Although we take an upfront cash charge of $2.3 million, the cash net present value benefit of this bank refinancing to the maturity date of the 6 1/8% notes in June 2013 assuming a constant borrowing rate of 2.75% would be approximately $14 million,” said Jonathan Baliff, Bristow’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “This new facility, coupled with our prudent capital structure, should provide our Company with ample strategic and financial flexibility for managing our business, while improving our ability to make debt repayments and restricted payments such as dividends and stock repurchases.”

    Bristow partnered with SunTrust Bank as administrative agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Regions Bank and BBVA Compass as other senior lenders.  

    Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and is one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as well as in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world; including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Trinidad.  For more information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.bristowgroup.com/.

    Statements contained in this release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include intended use of proceeds, expense related to the redemption, earnings per share reduction, net present value benefit and affect of the credit facility.  It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company’s registration statement relating to the offering.  Bristow Group Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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    Russia: Helicopter Crashes, 7 dead, 3 survive

    What: NARZ Mi-8T helicopter RA-22376 en route from Kyshtovka
    Where: Strezhevoy, Omsk Region Krapivinskoye field
    When: Nov 25, 2010, 12:12
    Who: 7 crew
    Why: It is reported that on approach, the helicopter went into uncontrollable rotation with subsequent separation of the end beam and the screw gear , then it fell on its side about 50 yards from the landing site. With tanks filled with fuel, they ignited, and the helicopter exploded. It was reported there were 7 crew fatalities and 3 surviving boat crew. Three survivors, who are in the hospital, are Chernov Stanislavski, Kosolapov Victor Ye, Laktyuhin Oleg. Two are stable, one has burns. The helicopter was carrying 1600 kg of food.

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    Military Chopper Crash Kills 11

    What: Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter en route from Tawang to Guwahati
    Where: Bomdir area bordering China
    When: Nov 19 2010
    Who: 11 aboard
    Why: The Indian Air Force helicopter that took off around noon from Tawang exploded not long after, and crashed in the Bomdir area bordering China. Three crew members, eight IAF personnel below officer rank and an Army Lieutenant Colonel were killed. No one survived the crash. All the bodies have been recovered but not identified yet. The crash is being attributed to weather and is under investigation by a Court of Inquiry.

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    Helicopter Crashes in Nepal

    What: Fishtail Air Aérospatiale AS 350B Ecureuil en route from Lukla Airport to Mount Ama Dablam
    Where: near Mount Ama Dablam base camp
    When: Nov 7 2010
    Who: 2 aboard; 2 fatalities Captain Sabin Basnet and Engineer Purna Awale
    Why: After flying from Kathmandu to Lukla at 8 a.m, the helicopter was the rescue team who had flown to Mount Ama Dablam to rescue two stranded Japanese mountaineers. After taking off at Lukla, the helicopter lost contact.

    A Fishtail Air helicopter search found the remains.

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    Allegheny Energy Chopper Crash in WV, 1 killed, 3 injured

    What: MD HELICOPTERS INC registered to WINCO INC in a rural area of Tucker County
    Where: Thomas WV
    When: October 30 10:30 am
    WEATHER: 1551Z EKN 00000KT 10SM CLR 09/01 A3009
    Who: subcontractors of Allegheny Energy: fatality Gary Bland, 52, of Georgia. Injured identified as Robert Rogers, Ryan Lang and Jeffrey McCay
    Why: A pilot and three linemen were working on wiring on a transmission tower, when the helicopter came down, killing one, injuring 3. The injured were taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital.

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    French Researchers Lost Lives in Antarctica

    What: Institut Polaire Français Aérospatiale AS 350 Squirrel helicopter carrying supplies between the French research vessel and supply ship, l’Astrolabe and the country’s Dumont d’Urville research base in Adélie Land.
    Where: Antarctica
    When: October 28, 2010
    Who: 4 Fatalities
    Why: After taking off from the French research vessel L’Astrolabe which is icebound northeast of the Dumont-d’Urville station, the helicopter went down in bad weather. The helicopter was last seen flying at 29 feet. The helicopter normally supplied the research base. Initially there was hope of one survivor. A U.S. Air Force C-17 flew over; the distress beacon was activated off Adelie Land, but cloud cover prevented visibility; bad weather complicated rescue efforts. An Australian unit which spotted three bodies dropped supplies and survival equipment. A doctor flown in later confirmed that the pilot, the mechanic and two employees of the French Polar Institute who had been aboard the helicopter were dead. The remains were recovered and flown back in an Australian Hercules C-130 to a chapel at the base. (US) McMurdo base and AMSA’s rescue coordination centre are assisting the French recovery team.

    Two researchers were from l’Institut polaire Paul-Emile Victor, in Brest, Brittany, France.

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    Helicopter Crash in Minatitlan Kills 8

    What: Heliservicios Campeche Bell 212 helicopter en route from Cd del Carmen en route to Minatitlan in Veracruz
    Where: Las Choapas, Minatitlan Mexico
    When: Oct 15 2010
    Who: 8 aboard
    Why: Witnesses say the helicopter caught fire while still in the air.

    The Heliservicios Campeche helicopter was transporting Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) employees at the time of the crash. Two pilots and six Pemex technicians were killed. Their bodies have been recovered.

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    Pilot Flies off with Fuel Hose attached

    What: BELL 206B crop-dusting helicopter
    Where: Newton Texas
    When: October 13, 2010
    Who: pilots name not released
    Why: After reloading the chemical tanks and refueling, the (registration 499BH ) N499BH BELL 206 ROTORCRAFT, lifted off while the fuel hose was still attached. The two seat helicopter went up, then, of course, crashed. It fell over on its side. One person on the ground was injured.

    George’s Point of View

    This is no joke, as someone on the ground was severely injured.

    However, it still reminds me of high school, when my date at the drive-in left the speaker hooked in the window, and when we left, I also left the window. The speaker took it out, hooked on the frame and kept the car from moving. We didn’t crash, or fall over, or even dent my window frame. Of course, we were in a Pinto.

    (I won’t go into how, when it was repaired, I tried to roll it up and it still wasn’t there, how the glass company goofed and replaced my perfectly good windshield, how I ended up with both a new door window AND a new windshield and an apology.)

    It’s a good thing the helicopter pilot’s name wasn’t released. Even if someone else was doing the refueling.

    How embarrassing.

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    New Zealand: Helicopter Missing

    What: Maritime New Zealand Robinson R22 helicopter on a training mission
    Where: Awarua, Southland New Zealand
    When: October 14, 2010
    Who: instructor and another pilot
    Why: After the last communication at 1:30 pm, at 2:15 a Robinson R22 was declared overdue.

    A search is underway utilizing three helicopters over a 1250 square kilometre area east of Bluff, including the Coastguard air patrol and Coastguard.

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    U. N. Chopper Crashes, Relief Workers Injured

    What: UN World Food Programme Mil Mi-8 “Hip-H” helicopter delivering food to Pakistan
    Where: near Manchar Lake
    When: Oct 1, 2010
    Who: 13 aid workers aboard, 3 injured seriously
    Why: The helicopter loaded with high-energy biscuts from the U.N.’s World Food Program, got off balance while landing, and crashed. (Alternate reports say the chopper tried to land on an embankment or had a technical error.)

    The injured were flown to Hyderabad then transported to hospitals by ambulance.

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    Medical Helicopter Bird Strike

    What: medical helicopter
    Where: Nogales
    When: Sept 14, 2010 5 pm
    Who: Pilot and 2 crew
    Why: After a bird strike, the medical helicopter had to make an emergency landing. The bird involved was a black vulture; and it came right through the windshield and struck the pilot in the chest.

    There were no injuries reported.