Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Does anybody have any information about the helicopter crash on the Zaca Incident in So.California over the last few days? Heard it "crashed" shortly after take off, or on take off. Just wondering what happened.

Posted

Thanks guys for the info. Looks like an S-64 Skycrane from the pics and I am glad everyone was able to walk away from the aircraft.

Posted
Thanks guys for the info. Looks like an S-64 Skycrane from the pics and I am glad everyone was able to walk away from the aircraft.

 

Roger,

Yeah, those two huge turbines are definitely from a big Sikorsky. I do know without hydraulics you crash...you don't fly that large rotor system without em...maybe a possibility?? or dynamic roll over with some contact on the ground. I'm sure NTSB will have a pre lim report out in a day or two.

 

Goldy

Posted

It sucks that another machine is lost, and especially another S-64. As I recall one went down last year or the year before in SoCal on another fire. Just glad that no one was seriously hurt.

Posted (edited)
It sucks that another machine is lost, and especially another S-64. As I recall one went down last year or the year before in SoCal on another fire. Just glad that no one was seriously hurt.

 

 

Yes it is. They lost one on the fire up in Trinity Forest last year. The good news is Erickson has a skycrane back in VNY now for the fire season...and word is we may get a second one as well as part of a joint County/City contract..we'll see. I just want to fly one for a couple hours...is that too much to ask ??

 

Just to clarify, neither of these two birds were Ericson Aircranes, but they were both Silorsky S-64's..

Edited by Goldy
  • 3 weeks later...
Guest rookie101
Posted

I recall two crane crashes and an incident from last years fire season: the first one I remeber the pilot hooked the snorkel on a water tank and tried to take off with the snorkel still attached and he ended up putting it in the dirt, upside down (probably looked like the one in the news article). The second one was an incident were a pilot clipped the side of a cliff while trying to fill up the water tank and tore the tips of the rotor blades all up. The third one I remember is easily the worst as both pilots didn't walk away. I beleive the tail boom seperted when they were trying to fill up the tank. Sucks to see those big beautiful machines in a mangled pill like that and it's even worse when the pilot's don't walk away :(.

Posted

A hydraulic servo pin letting loose is probable cause of crash. I know one of the crew involved and am glad neither was seriously hurt. There are only a few of those birds around and it is a shame to see any bird lost.

Posted
I recall two crane crashes and an incident from last years fire season: the first one I remeber the pilot hooked the snorkel on a water tank and tried to take off with the snorkel still attached and he ended up putting it in the dirt, upside down

 

I was in that exact ship last week and I have to tell you its gorgeous. Completely rebuilt as the latest Ericson Aircrane...same old instrument panel but everything else is brand new..

 

Goldy

Posted (edited)
And where are the pics Goldy?

 

 

OK Roger, you asked for them, you got it. This particular ship is at VNY as part of the LAFD contract for the summer...here's two pic's....

 

and here's the NTSB report on the same aircraft.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=2...01477&key=1

 

Damn, pictures look so good it makes me want one !

Edited by Goldy
Posted

Only thing missing is you in the seat! Thanks for the pics and the paint looks friggin fresh as it sounds like it should be. Glad to see its flying again.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
That is just beautiful. I would love to see the pre-flight checklist on that baby.

 

I was just thinking the same thing... :blink:

Posted (edited)
I was just thinking the same thing... :blink:

 

 

Once again, you asked for it...you kinda got it. Check out the instrument panel here, this gives you some idea of whats involved. I dont fly this giant, but a buddy of mine does. I think he spent an hour with me in the cockpit trying to explain everything...I was like, sure, uh-huh, right, yeah, ok, got it......what the heck does that do again??

 

 

 

2150277660096565338ONTYMe_th.jpg

Edited by Goldy
Posted

I think I could preflight an entire R22 before I ran through the startup procedures for that thing!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...