Sh*t. I saw the very same thing happen to a Canadian Navy Sea King once. Fortunately no one was killed in that one, but there were a couple of bad injuries. I wonder how that French crew fared.
Damn! I hate flying in helicopters. I know for the most part, they are safe. But I was in a Huey that had an autorotation gone bad. We all survived with bumps, bruises and sore backs, but that was NOT fun!
Yeap that looks like a loss of Tail Rotor Thrust to me. In a Blackhawk if that happens we have to keep the aircraft above 80 knots and attempt a roll on landing. Atleast thats the emergency procedure. Will it work, I dont know, never had it happen and I hope I never have it happen.
The guys in the Cabin probably did not fair out to well because of the fact that they were just cargo strapped in, however in a crash sequence like that normally the pilots do not fair to well either. The Main Rotor blades crash through the cockpit. Ive seen it, not a very pretty sight.
evengilder said:
Damn! I hate flying in helicopters. I know for the most part, they are safe. But I was in a Huey that had an autorotation gone bad. We all survived with bumps, bruises and sore backs, but that was NOT fun!
They say you get used to them. I don't think I would want to try getting used to it. I know it doesn't happen all the time, thank god. I was just lucky to get the one that did.
I guess you either love rotary wing or not. I am a rotorhead so I love it. Theres just something I really like about "OH SHIT THERES WIRES IN OUR FLIGHT PATH!" and then STOP.... You can stop anywhere and a good pilot can almost do it on a dime.