Helicopter

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    Heroic Tragic Firefighting Copter Crash: NSW


    Click to view full size photo at jetphotos.net
    Contact photographer Matthew Southwell

    What: NSW Rural Fire Service Bell B206L-1 LongRanger II performing bushfire surveillance
    Where: 5km SE of Dorrigo, on the mid-north coast, NSW Australia
    When: Dec 9. 2009 11:30 am
    Who: Pilot and passenger
    Why: While conducting bushfire surveillance while fighting a fire, the helicopter went down in the rainforest. The passenger, a 41-year-old National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger died. He had been a ranger for 12 years.

    In Dorrigo Hospital, the pilot is fighting for his life, after sustaining critical chest, head and back injuries. He will be airlifted to a major hospital later on Wednesday

    The pilot has over 3000 flying hours. This is the third serious firefighting helicopter incident in the past 48 hours.

    1,500 firefighters continue to fight the fire caused by dry conditions and lightning strikes. Unrelated to the helicopter crash, other individuals have been injured in the fire.

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    Mercy Flight Engine Shut Down During Evac

    What: Mercy Flight enroute Buffalo to ECMC from Orleans County
    Where: A mile from Buffalo Niagara
    When: Dec 2 2009
    Who: Pilot Shawn Hayes, 2 flight crew nurses and a patient
    Why: After Pilot Shawn Hayes reported “a drop” in one of his engine, he headed for the airport. ATC halted takeoffs for 5 minutes allowing Hayes to land anywhere but he didn’t make it to the airport. With one engine running, the pilot made a safe emergency landing.

    Flight nurses transported patient by ambulance.

    Hayes is a 23 year former military pilot.

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    Helicopter Crashes in Islamorada FL

    What: G & S Helicopters Inc. Robinson R22 Beta II
    Where: Robbie’s Marina , Indian Key State Park, Islamorada Florida
    When: 2:30 p.m. Nov 30 2009
    Who: pilot
    Why: The pilot made an emergency landing on an island to inspect his plane. When he checked the tail rotor, the helicopter lifted off without him, at which point he tried to get back in but fell. The helicopter continued up about 70 feet before it crashed.

    The pilot received doctor’s care for his broken arm, after being rescued by a boat from a local marina.

    I’ve heard of people getting out of their car while it was running…But…a helicopter?

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    Sri Lanka AF Crash Kills 4

    Update
    What: Sri Lankan Air Force MI-24
    Where: Rattaran Kivula’ mountains in Buttala 240 kilometers from Colombo
    When: Friday
    Who: 2 pilots, 2 passengers
    Why: Pilots reported a mechanical problem to ATC prior to the crash. A probe panel to investigate Friday’s crash. The flight was on a training mission when it crashed in the southeastern Moneragala district.

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    Helicopter Crashes in Israel


    Pictured: A Tamir Airways Piper PA-31-310 Turbo Navajo. The vehicle in the crash was a helicopter. Co-owner of Tamir Airways was killed in the crash.
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Michael Sender

    What: Tamir Airways Robinson R44 en route from Tel Aviv Sde Dov airfield
    Where: Sironit beach in Netanya, Israel
    When: Nov 24, 2009
    Who: 4 on board, the , Yoav Tamir from Tel Aviv and Ran Lapid from Nes Tziona, Hadar Shavit, 39, from the town of Lapid and a tourist from the UK.
    Why: The investigation is considering a technical failure suspected to have caused the fatal accident and the possibility that the propeller broke in mid flight.

    Pilot Ran Lapid, was an experienced helicopter pilot but human error is not ruled out as a cause.

    Witnesses heard “an unusual noise” prior to the helicopter landing in the water and “saw it slowly descend toward the water…flip 90 degrees, the propeller hit the water and broke off and the helicopter dove into the water.”

    There were no survivors but all the remains have been found.

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    S Korea Helicopter Crash Kills 3 Rangers



    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Kim Jong Hwan

    What: South Korean Forestry Service Kamov Ka-32T
    Where: Jeolla lake, Yeongam County, South Jeolla South Korea
    When: Nov 23 2009
    Who: 3 on board
    Why: The helicopter was participating in training for dumping water on forest fires when it crashed. Rescuers found the wreckage in the lake, with only its tail protruding above the water line.

    The aviation office lost contact with the helicopter about 12:15. It was practicing filling up the tank with water from the lake. Since the weather is calm, it is not known if wind was a factor, or practice, or if this was a case of mechanical failure. Sixteen Russian model Ka-32Ts are in use by the forestry service, to put out forest fires.

    The deceased are a 52-year-old crew chief named Park, and a 46-year-old and a 44 year old, both named Lee.

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    Java Helicopter Crash


    Pictured: A MBB BO-105CB-4
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Joop De Groot

    What: Indonesia’s SAR (search and rescue) Bolkow NBO 105CB helicopter on a training mission
    Where: off Semarang, Java at sea
    When: Nov 19 2009 10:15 am
    Who: 5 aboard
    Why: While en route, the search and rescue helicopter crashed from 5 meters into the sea. The pilot, co-pilot and three instructors were taken to the hospital with injuries.

    It is suspected that the helicopter was flying too low and tipped the surface of the ocean.

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    Blue Hawaiian Tours Emergency Landing

    What: Blue Hawaiian EUROCOPTER EC130 tour helicopter on Maui
    Where: in a sugar field half a mile east of Kahului Airport
    When: Monday November 16
    Who: pilot and 6 passengers
    Why: The helicopter experienced engine problems, forcing an emergency situation. On landing, the helicopter sustained minor damage to its tail boom.

    No one aboard was injured.

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    UK: Helicopter Crash kills pilot


    Pictured: A Robinson R-22 Beta II
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer BernieC

    What: Corserve International Ltd. Robinson R22 Beta II
    Where: Harrop Green Farm in Adlington, near Macclesfield, UK
    When: Nov 15, 2009
    Who: 1
    Why: While en route, the helicopter crashed. The pilot, businessman Tony Sullivan, an experienced engineer and helicopter pilot, was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The crash is under investigation.

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    Manang Air Crash in Nepal


    Pictured: A Manang Air Mil Mi-8MTV-1
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Michael Fritz

    What: Manang Air MI-17 helicopter
    Where: Rodikot, Humla district in mid-western Nepal
    When: 2009-11-15 11:30 a.m. local time
    Who: 6 on board. 1 dies, 5 survivors.
    Why: While attempting to land at the helipad while transporting grain and food items from Surkhet to a remote mountain village, the helicopter’s rear rotors hit the mountainside and the pilot lost control of the aircraft.

    The death is reported to be a Russian engineer Sergei Kovyazo.

    The others aboard—copilot Raju Bhandari, accountant Krishna Amatya, overseer Bishnu Bahadur Chaudhary, local resident Lok Bahadur and a Russian pilot—were via helicopter to a Nepalgunj hospital in Nepalgunj.

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    Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crash


    Pictured: a Aerospatiale AS-350BA Ecureuil
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Joost De Wit

    What: Mountain Lifeflight Aerospatiale AS.350 Ecureuil en route from Renown Medical Center, Reno to Susanville, CA
    Where: 29 miles northwest of Reno, Lassen County, CA
    When: NOV 14, 2009
    Who: 3 aboard
    Why: After delivering a patient to a Reno Medical Center/hospital, the helicopter crashed and was destroyed by fire while on the way to its home base.

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    Helicopter Crash NE of Montreal Kills 1, Injures 2

    What: Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter
    Where: Baie-Comeau, 700 kilometres northeast of Montreal on a sandbar in the middle of the Franquelin River
    When: Thursday November 12, 2 pm
    Who: 58-year-old man and two women in their thirties
    Why: Investigators are looking into into whether or not the helicopter struck a power line. A “hydro line” not far from the crash was severed and the crash caused a power outage in Godbout-Franquelin.

    The pilot died and the two seriously hurt passengers were taken to Quebec City hospital.

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    Vintage Helicopter Crashes in CA


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jason Brickman

    What: Piasecki PV-18 en route from Adelanto to Flabob
    Where: Highway 395, one mile south of Adelanto Airport, CA
    When: Nov 7, 2009, 8:30 a.m.
    Who: 3 fatalities
    Why: After takeoff, the helicopter struck power lines and caught afire.

    The helicopter (owned by Joseph William Pike of Victorville CA) was a vintage military aircraft built in 1951. The crash destroyed the helicopter, and there were no survivors.

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    Training Helicopter Crashes in AZ; 2 Injured



    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Fred Seggie

    What: Native Air Aerospatiale AS.350BA Ecureuil (Eurocopter AS 350) training helicopter
    Where: trying to land at San Carlos’s Cutter airport, San Carlos Indian reservation, 60 miles west of Phoenix
    When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009
    Who: 2 on board
    Why: The medical evacuation helicopter (configured for training) crashed on landing.

    Both occupants of the helicopter were hospitalized with injuries.

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    S Dakota Medical Helicopter Bird Strike

    What: (new) Avera Careflight helicopter
    Where: S Dakota
    When: November 2, 2009
    Who: Pilot Craig Hilzendager and EMT Terry Willis
    Why: While en route, the new helicopter had a bird strike (specifically duck) that shattered the helicopter cockpit window, and injured the EMT.

    The landing was simplified by night vision goggles which made it possible for the pilot and EMT to be able to see the ground.

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    Belarus: Helicopter Crash Kills 3


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Sebastian Szaty?owicz

    What: Polish Border Guard PZL Kania
    Where: near Polish-Belarusian border
    When: OCT 31, 2009
    Who: 3 fatalities
    Why: While on a routine border patrol, a pilot and two border guards lost contact. Klukowicze villagers sent out a search party after hearing a crash, but the search was hampered by fog.

    Saturday, following the scent of fuel, the wreckage was found 600 ft into Belarusian territory. The helicopter was totaled.

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    Rotorcraft Leasing Loses Bell Helicopter off Oil Rig

    What: Rotorcraft Leasing Co BELL 206L-1 Helicopter en route from oil rig to oil rig
    Where: 75 miles southeast of Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico, listed as “high island Texas”
    When: Monday, November 2nd, 2009
    Who: 2
    Why: After crashing, the helicopter’s floats were deployed; and a boat was involved in the rescue. Both men were hospitalized with injuries.

    It is a good thing there were witnesses since beacon gear protection has been diminished.

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    Helicopter Crash, Saltillo Mexico


    Pictured: A Bell 206 in Mexico
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jonathan Parra

    What: RCG Radio y Television Saltillo Bell 206
    Where: Saltillo, Coahuila Mexico
    When: October 30 2009
    Who: 4 on board, three of them seriously injured.
    Why: Apparently the plane crashed due to a short circuit in the rotor, hit a roof and burst into flame. Individuals inside were evacuated. So far, no fatalities have been reported.

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    Peru: Helicopter Crash, 2 dead, 2 hospitalized


    Pictured: Italy – Vigili del Fuoco Eurocopter AS-350B-3 Ecureuil
    © Photo by Stefano Capuzzo
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Stefano Capuzzo

    What: Helinka Eurocopter Ecureuil
    Where: Loreto Province between Trompeteros and Saramuro Peru in the Corrientes River
    When: 9:15 29 Oct 2009
    Who: 2 fatalities, 2 injuries
    Why: Pilot Hernie Cordova and Edgar Zevallo were killed; the survivors are Chugudaly Davila and Pedro Paredes Vela Junio.

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    Robinson Helicopter Crashes in Italian Lake


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ian Tate

    What: Robinson R22 Beta II en route from Verona Boscomantico
    Where: 5 meters from the shore of Lake Garda, near Verona in Torri del Benaco
    When: October 26, 2009
    Who: 2 on board: Paolo Alberti di Desenzano (Brescia), pilot and owner of the airplane, and Alexander Ferron
    Why: While on a local flight, the plane crashed about twenty minutes after takeoff, near the Lake Garda shoreline in Torri del Benaco.

    A crane and divers assisted in the recovery efforts.

    The remains were recovered after the fire, still in their seats.
    The helicopter had only logged 170 flight hours.

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    Tahlequah OK: Robinson Crash



    Pictured: a Robinson R-22 Beta
    no photo available for serial# 4114
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Danny Fritsche

    What: Robinson model R22 Beta helicopter en route from Tahlequah City Airport
    Where: south of Mud Valley Road in rural Cherokee County Oklahoma, two miles south of the Tahlequah airport.
    When: 4:30 a.m. Thursday
    Who: pilot Mark Mahaney, 26; Darci Scraper, 20.
    Why: The exact time of the crash is not known, but the pilot and passenger were scheduled to meet someone at the airport. The wreckage was found at 8:45 a.m. Friday. The helicopter is known to have taken off at 4 a.m. Wednesday, and flew southeast before striking the ground in a wooded area about a mile from the road.

    Mahaney received his pilot’s license on July 31. He had a two year old public intoxication charge, pending DUI charges in Cherokee, and is the grandson of former state Sen. Herb Rozell of Tahlequah.

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    Colibri Crashes Stormy Mountainside in San Jose de Ocoa


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Juan Carlos Porcella

    What: Dominican Consul Eurocopter EC120 Colibri en route from Santo Domingo to San Jose de Ocoa
    Where: San Jose de Ocoa, Dominican Republic
    When: 15-OCT-2009 at 14:55
    Who: 3 aboard, all fatalities
    Why: The Colibri light helicopter took off for Ocoa from the Hotel Santo Domingo‘s heliport at 2:35 p.m. but crashed into a mountain in the south of the country in heavy rain, killing all occupants (the pilot and two passengers: first lieutenant Wilker Diaz, Manuel Checo, Yendi Vásquez)

    The last communication with the pilot was at 2:55 p.m. when he told ATC he had Ocoa in sight.
    The Dominican consul in Haiti, Carlos Castillo—whose helicopter it is—was not aboard.

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    Florida Sheriff Emergency Landing


    Pictured: a Marion County Sheriff Department Bell OH-58A Kiowa
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact JLS Photo

    What: Marion County Sheriff’s helicopter returning from a call in the southwest area of Marion county
    Where: Ocala Airport
    When: Saturday 10/10/2009
    Who: Sheriff’s Office pilots Peter Rogers and Michael Turner
    Why: While returning from a call, the helicopter lost power. They managed to land at Ocala airport.

    According to Marion County Sheriff Ofc. website, Marion County Sheriff Department flies Bell OH-58A Kiowa.

    The NTSB is investigating.

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    Helicopter Crashes at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport.


    Pictured: A SCHWEIZER 269C-1
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Joost De Wit

    What: MTM Helicopters SCHWEIZER 269C-1 ROTORCRAFT
    Where: Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport.
    When: 10/08/2009
    Who: Pilot Tim O’Leary and passenger
    Why: Just after lifting off, the pilot lost control of the chopper, aborting a sight-seeing flight. The flight spun out and landed in the grass. No injuries were reported; however the helicopter sustained “substantial” damage. O’Leary is a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot.

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    Bolivian Military Crash kills 4

    What: Bolivian Air Force (FAB) LAMA FAB-746
    Where: Molle Molle at 1520 on Thursday
    When: Thursday Oct 1
    Who: Four officers killed; one wounded
    Why: The helicopter crashed into a wall in the village of Molle Molle. The survivor Yanarico Sergeant Johnson (24) is in critical condition at Viedma Hospital.

    Victims: Lt. Col. Wilson Arnez Gonzales (46), the Edgar Antezana Victor Paz (38), officer Javier Rodriguez (48), Sergeant Juan Carlos Iza Arnostegui Colonel Lopez (34) (Venezuelan driver)