flingwinger Posted August 15, 2012 Report Posted August 15, 2012 Two different accidents involving ditching in the past few days, glad to hear no injuries in either. http://www.qciobserver.com/Article.aspx?Id=5583 "by Jane Wilson-A helicopter hit the water and sank off Langara Island on Monday afternoon (Aug. 13). The Sikorsky S-76 was on approach when it was forced to do a controlled ditch into the ocean. The helicopter's floats deployed but it became unbalanced and tipped over before sinking. Both occupants were able to climb out before the helicopter tipped and Transport Canada spokesperson John Cottreau said "the occupants didn't even get wet." The helicopter is currently under water, but Mr. Cottreau said it will be recovered by the insurance carrier. The Transportation Safety Board will be involved in the engine teardown to determine the reason for the accident." and: Cadors Number: 2012P1240 Reporting Region: Pacific Occurrence Information Occurrence Type: Accident Occurrence Date: 2012-08-05 Occurrence Time: 2110 Z Day Or Night: day-time Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Canadian Aerodrome ID: Aerodrome Name: Occurrence Location: Widgeon Lake Province: British Columbia Country: CANADA World Area: North America Reported By: JRCC AOR Number: TSB Class Of Investigation: TSB Occurrence No: Aircraft Information Flight #: Aircraft Category: Helicopter Country of Registration: CANADA Make: SCHWEIZER Model: 269C 1 Year Built: 2006 Amateur Built: No Engine Make: AVCO LYCOMING Engine Model: HIO-360-G1A Engine Type: Reciprocating Gear Type: Land Phase of Flight: Unknown Damage: Unknown Owner: BRITISH COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS LTD Operator: BRITISH COLUMBIA HELICOPTERS LTD. (5907) Operator Type: Commercial Event Information Collision with terrain Detail Information User Name: Ferrone, Jennifer Date: 2012-08-07 Further Action Required: No O.P.I.: System Safety Narrative: A1P - 052110Z. (492733N 1223970W - WIDGEON LAKE). Harbour Air picked up two people from a helicopter crash at Widgeon Lake and took them to Coal Harbour Base. No medical assistance was required. TSB and CMCC were informed and the owner was debriefed.[V2012-02172] Quote
Guest plumber Posted August 15, 2012 Report Posted August 15, 2012 Which leads me to a question for you folks. If you had the choice between trees or water which would you take? I fly with a guy who has been flying for 40 years and he says he would head for the trees. He has also done the water egress course and I haven't but I would lean towards the getting wet side. Quote
Grasshopper Posted August 15, 2012 Report Posted August 15, 2012 I've gone into 100' trees and, although we finished upside-down, we all lived, despite some injuries. I'd take the trees again if given the choice. Water poses too many imponderables for my liking. Quote
twinstar_ca Posted August 16, 2012 Report Posted August 16, 2012 belts won't release and upside down in trees vs belts won't release and upside down under water... :shock: 2 Quote
treetopflyer Posted August 16, 2012 Report Posted August 16, 2012 I would lean towards the trees while sitting on the couch but in the moment who knows where I would point the old girl. Unconscious or just stunned for a few minutes could be the end of you in even a few feet of water. I've had the dunker course many times. Every pilot should take the course! Passenger should also take the course if they spend a good amount of time strapped in a helicopter doing over water operations. I rehearse the drill in the aircraft several times a year to keep some level of muscle memory. 1 Quote
Elvis Posted August 16, 2012 Report Posted August 16, 2012 How cold is the water, and can you swim? 1 Quote
Bif Posted August 19, 2012 Report Posted August 19, 2012 Water poses too many imponderables for my liking. Imponderables. I like that word! Quote
V Toss Posted August 19, 2012 Report Posted August 19, 2012 I've gone into 100' trees and, although we finished upside-down, we all lived, despite some injuries. I'd take the trees again if given the choice. Water poses too many imponderables for my liking. I often wondered how I would put it into trees, does one Keep the flare attitude and let her settle tail first or level the cabin? Zero ground speed is obviously preferred if you can get her stopped in time. Not to get into to many details about your experience but I would love your take on this Grasshopper. On the ditching side of things I think I would choose water in the summer months when I am by myself, other than that I think trees would be best. Quote
Iceman Posted August 20, 2012 Report Posted August 20, 2012 Long ago in a 206 I had a choice between water (shoreline) and trees and took the water. No worries about fire and the machine rolled over on its right side. The only issue I had was the passenger behind me getting out of the machine before everything stopped plus the front passenger stomping me in panic to climb out his door. Did you know some grown men cry for their moms when they think they might die? Quote
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