Helicopter Accident - Nov. 23, 2011

[TheNewKid]

The sound just makes me cringe! Yikes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5aMT9MBfZI&feature=plcp

Whist erecting a seven story high structure to be used as a Christmas tree, the helicopters rotor struck a cable causing the aircraft to crash to the ground. The Pilot was helped from the crumpled wreckage with minor injuries. Both of my Panasonic P2HD camera's were recording at the same time, even though I go to reposition myself because I didn't like the look of the cable near the rotor, my camera I am carrying is still recording. My other static wide view camera caught me walking across the frame, you can see the guy tug on the cable just as I go past him. After the impact, and seeing that the wreck had not burst in to flames, I'm the guy in the yellow hi-vis, white hat and blue jeans that hops in to the cab to help get the unconscious pilot out along with the guy who originally pulled on the cable. I have removed the "comments" option as some people have been posting ridiculous messages, this was all just an accident, and by the grace of God, no one was badly injured.

[Stian]

Did he know the cable was still attach to is helicopter?!

[trampbike]

1. Why was the cable still attached at both ends?
2. Why did the guy on the ground jump to pull down the cable, causing the accident?

[TheNewKid]

Here's another view. It looks like he just got too low. Although the fact that the guy pulled on the wire at the same time seems suspicous. Maybe he was trying to pull it off?

[Stian]

1. Why was the cable still attached at both ends?

He probably whan to drop the cable the lowest possible, with all the people around that can be dangerous. But the pilot probably didn't know some one will jump for catch the cable before he has the time to release it.

2. Why did the guy on the ground jump to pull down the cable, causing the accident?

I didn't see at first this stupidguy!

[Beefitarian]

There's a tread around here from when it happened. I believe they were trying a different or new hook and it did not release when it should have. The ground guy was pulling to try to assist that function.

[The Mole]

This accidents highlights the point of having an old pilot with grey hair, who may not have as much experience as he thinks and nobody in the preplanning questioning him. A PIC/owner with an overbearing personality can be dangerous. This is clear if you find the media interview with him after the accident. He talks candidly with the media about what happened. This job went sideways in the pre-plan. Lucky nobody was killed.

[Beefitarian]

Here's the thread. viewtopic.php?f=54&t=77973&hilit=New+Zealand

I don't know if the links are any good now.