Airport Shuttle Chopper goes down in HKG Harbour

[markis10]

Happened around midday, Augusta 139 with 13 POB, all OK but taken to hospital.

Helicopter crashes in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, all 13 people onboard rescued | News.com.au

AFP: Helicopter plunges into Hong Kong harbour

 

[straitman]

I'll make a few enquiries. This is a very professional company and I know quite a few of the pilots including the Chief pilot who used to work for me.

 

[samh004]

In the photo, what is the thing floating in the water by the boat? Is that the helicopter upside down? I can’t really make it out.

 

[straitman]

In the photo, what is the thing floating in the water by the boat? Is that the helicopter upside down? I can’t really make it out.

It look like it is the Helo upside down.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I'll make a few enquiries. This is a very professional company and I know quite a few of the pilots including the Chief pilot who used to work for me.

Bill, as a result of their professionalism all got out OK.

good result for a bad day.

Cheers

SPRUCE

 

[straitman]

Here is the link to the PPruNe site that has a little more information.

Interesting discussion between a tail rotor issue or an engine failure. The AW139 has heaps of power and should have been able to flyaway if it was an engine failure.

 

[RescuePilot]

Hi Straitman - [Interesting discussion between a tail rotor issue or an engine failure. The AW139 has heaps of power and should have been able to flyaway if it was an engine failure.[/QUOTE]

At 12:01 local time 03 Jul 2010, airframe B-MHJ was ditched into the Hong Kong harbour after technical problems. 11 passengers and 2 crew were rescued, and only minor injuries reported. Emergency services evacuated the aircraft which was supported by the floats effectively. Shortly after evacuation the aircraft rolled.

Apparently as Pilot evacuated aircraft rotated due to change in COG.

AW tech personnel on way to site for major investigation. Now would it have happened on a 412 that way??

Aircraft only 2 years old as well so not old at all.

Remember when it they were called the Agusta-Bell AB139??

 

[straitman]

.... and it was the Chief Pilot flying :!:

 

[straitman]

As a follow up to this. The best discussion is still on PPRuNe with the discussion centring around a failure somewhere in the vertical fin and a loss of the tail rotor and tail rotor gear box. That being the case they were very lucky to have had enough control effectiveness with the huge C of G change. VERY lucky people indeed. :shock: