R22 Driver Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 (edited) It was sad to wake up to the news. A R44 with four people on board crashed into the Mediterranean. According to eyewitnesses, the tail boom or tail rotor "disintegrated". The pilot was an airline captain, flew CH-53s and was a fixed wing/rotorcraft test pilot. He was also one of only two helicopter flight examiners in Israel. He was a great guy. Edited November 24, 2009 by R22 Driver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 It was sad to wake up to the news. A R44 with four people on board crashed into the Mediterranean. According to eyewitnesses, the tail boom or tail rotor "disintegrated". So either the tail rotor gearbox exploded (wouldnt be the first one) or the main rotor chopped the tail off? Last accident I know of where the gearbox exploded off the helicopter, the pilot went into an auto and all 3 walked out of the ship. Geez, it had been a little while since the last 44 fatal accident. For awhile there, we were losing one every couple weeks. Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R22 Driver Posted November 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Just got an email from the Civilian Aviation Authority stating that all R22s, R44s are grounded indefinitely. A bit excessive, me thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuki Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I would recommend not to jump into any conclusion/s. There are number of other causes that could have brought this 44 down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuki Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 22 driver, They took the same steps they do when an accident takes place in the IAF. It is a collective "punishment", however, potentialy beneficiary to all 44 operators around the globe. Yuki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotormandan Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Excuse my ignorance but what is IAF and why would grounding all robbies benefit 44 operators around the globe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Excuse my ignorance but what is IAF and why would grounding all robbies benefit 44 operators around the globe? I assume by IAF he is talking about the Israeli Air Force, as far as the 22/44 issues, well they are built from a similar design. I know they fly differently, and I hate even comparing a 44 in any way to a 22..but they are similar rotor systems, lightweight design, same clutch and governor basics, similar Lycoming engines, similar structural designs. So if there is a fault in one, it would be worth investigating if it could affect both types. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lelebebbel Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 IAF = Israeli Air Force. They grounded all R22 and R44 - in Israel. Potential benefit to R22/R44 operators around the globe is that the grounding of the fleet in Israel could prevent another accident, if they find a design flaw on the Robbies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R22 Driver Posted November 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I assume by IAF he is talking about the Israeli Air Force, as far as the 22/44 issues, well they are built from a similar design. I know they fly differently, and I hate even comparing a 44 in any way to a 22..but they are similar rotor systems, lightweight design, same clutch and governor basics, similar Lycoming engines, similar structural designs. So if there is a fault in one, it would be worth investigating if it could affect both types. Goldy, On a happier note, I'm in your neck of the woods for Thanksgiving. Maybe we can finally meet! R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) Goldy, On a happier note, I'm in your neck of the woods for Thanksgiving. Maybe we can finally meet! R Just give me a call or email! I was just wondering what I could do over the long weekend. I am home all week. PM sent Goldy Edited November 26, 2009 by Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuki Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Rotorman, Lelebebbelonian has already addressed the question. Hope this makes sense to you as well. Yuki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R22 Driver Posted November 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Here's TV footage of the helicopter during the accident flight, while still underwater, and after it was lifted out of the water. For those of you who haven't brushed up their Hebrew - One main rotor blade broke close to the hub. The tail rotor did not disintegrate, but the accident investigator says that the rotor blade chopped the tail boom after it broke. http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=680988 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuki Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 ThanX Driver. I assume, Rotormandan now understands the global significant these images have on the 8k fleet of 44s and many more 22s around the world. If it becomes conclusive that the rotor failed we have a big issue. Not the first time Rubis have a problem of some sort with the main rotor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 (edited) - One main rotor blade broke close to the hub. The tail rotor did not disintegrate, but the accident investigator says that the rotor blade chopped the tail boom after it broke. http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=680988 Can't think of too many incidents where we've had a main rotor blade break off on its own. Only as a result of low rpm/low G/tailboom strikes. Looks like a Raven 1 main rotor blade, and it almost looks like the blade broke off right at the blade grip, or the grip itself failed. We should all be watching this one..sorry to hear of the loss but hopefully we can learn something from it. Goldy Edited November 28, 2009 by Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperPilot Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 So sad. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R22 Driver Posted November 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 The Israeli CAA has published todayy an AD for all R22 and R44 models, suspending CofA of the aircraft until an NDT of the main rotor blades is carried out. According to the AD, Initial investigation revealed that the accident was caused by delamination of the rotor blade that subsequently caused the honeycomb to separate from the rotor spar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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