MD 500 down at KLZU

[tradford]

Just heard from my flying buddy that the Gwinnett County Sheriff's MD500 had a mishap at the airport this morning. Both pilots survived with injuries and the bird is a loss. Our helicopter service operates across the runway and I can't tell how many times I've marveled at that little black jewel doing flight maneuvers. Apparently their injuries aren't life threatening, but little has been disclosed so far.

 

 

 

[500F]

The 500 is very likely the most crash-worthy aircraft ever built. If you land it on the skids, your odds are darn good regardless of any other factors.

 

He hit hard enough to pull both gear legs out of the keel beam. ouch.

[Bonzo828]

Glad they are ok. Interested to see the cause of this.

[DEEZALL]

officer Mclain treated and released, Corporal Duncan transferred to atlanta spine center for treatment. He is paralysed from the waist down and no word of prognosis. I cant find any report preliminary or other wise.

news article

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/survivor-of-gwinnett-police-helicopter-crash-now-paralyzed/614526357

[tradford]

The whole incident was caught on video. I saw a copy of it right after it happened. It was scary seeing the ship hit the ground at such a high speed.

[500F]

The preliminary report seems to indicate some sort of t/R drive failure. If so, that would be extremely rare, I don't believe in the hundreds of 500 crashes I've read I can think of a single instance of drive failure.