Dangers of erecting a Xmas tree with a chopper

[Jukebox_hero]

Now watch closely kids!

[the_cr]

Seems like a better seat belt system is needed, or needs to actually be used One guy nearly tossed from the helicopter and the other winds up in the back seat. Doesn't seem like that should happen in a crash.

Also, while I don't know the situation it seems like it could have been done without the use of a helicopter in a harbour. Too many cables, which are too hard to see to be safe.

It is good to hear no one was seriously injured.

[Apollo]

[Joe Blow Schmo]

Seems like a better seat belt system is needed, or needs to actually be used One guy nearly tossed from the helicopter and the other winds up in the back seat. Doesn't seem like that should happen in a crash.

There was only one guy in helicopter.

[Heliian]

yikes.

Glad no one was seriously hurt, another good training video. The seatbelts work fine except when you are only wearing a lap belt, the shoulder harnesses make it difficult to see out and down. The machine is a total write off.

[Beefitarian]

Looked like the seat broke off and went into the back of the machine. He might have been belted to it still.

[the_cr]

Seems like a better seat belt system is needed, or needs to actually be used One guy nearly tossed from the helicopter and the other winds up in the back seat. Doesn't seem like that should happen in a crash.

There was only one guy in helicopter.

In which case it really didn't do the job.

[justwork]

yikes.

The machine is a total write off.

Nah, I think that would buff right out.

[mmartin1872]

2 really lucky guys... The pilot, and the guy trying to disconnect the 'long line' from the belly hook. (he's wearing black, under the helicopter)

http://www.3news.co.nz/Lucky-to-come-aw ... fault.aspx

[J31]

2 really lucky guys... The pilot, and the guy trying to disconnect the 'long line' from the belly hook. (he's wearing black, under the helicopter)

http://www.3news.co.nz/Lucky-to-come-aw ... fault.aspx

That is a better view. You can see the cable he hit coming off the the tower on the left of the screen.

[rigpiggy]

I notice just before the incident the rigger on the ground whipping the cable, wonder if this could have been the disturbance that started the accident

[Lowjack]

Here is some up close and personal footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5aMT9MB ... e=youtu.be

[YCL Boy]

From the link just above at 1:40 you clearly see the cable pulled by the guy under the helicopter directly into the rotor blades.
Scary sight...

[Nark]

Looks like an open and shut case to me.

Someone owes the pilot a lifetime of beer...

[Heliian]

The pilot made the mistake of descending into his longline which was still attached to the top of the tower they were erecting. The guy on the ground is not to blame, the a/c was hitting the line regardless. The angle where you see the line attached to both tower and hook ends as the cameraman can sense the impending doom and then you see him run across the other angle before the accident happens. I have no idea why they didn't "punch off" the line from either end before getting into this mess. It's a miracle noone was killed.

For information, the seat belt is attached to hard points on the floor for the lap belt and the shoulder harness is attached to the seat back itself. The shoulder harness would have kept him better contained on the seat but I can't say if it led to the seat breaking. No helmet either, the pilot should be buying the heli gods beer.

[HS-748 2A]

I have no idea why they didn't "punch off" the line from either end before getting into this mess.

You can't "punch off" a line that has no weight on it. It wouldn't have fallen out of the hook.

There's a very candid interview with the pilot that I cannot seem to find at the moment.

He makes a comment about the mountains of paperwork they filled out before doing this job.

I just cannot understand why that paperwork didn't prevent the accident.

'48

Edited: Here's the link to the interview.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Pilot-says-he-is ... fault.aspx

[The Mole]

I have no idea why they didn't "punch off" the line from either end before getting into this mess.

You can't "punch off" a line that has no weight on it. It wouldn't have fallen out of the hook.

There's a very candid interview with the pilot that I cannot seem to find at the moment.

He makes a comment about the mountains of paperwork they filled out before doing this job.

I just cannot understand why that paperwork didn't prevent the accident.

'48

Edited: Here's the link to the interview.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Pilot-says-he-is ... fault.aspx

Wrong wrong wrong, A properly functioning hook of good quality has not problem dropping an empty line. If you used the wrong size load ring or no load ring at all, then you can have problems. An Onboard hook maybe takes 1lbs of weight to open. Even if it didn't a little shack from machine will cause it to fall open. Its New zealand, gods knows how he rigged it, or the low quality hook being used. But what he says in the that interview is wrong.

I do this kind of work for a living. Our hooks can open with just a small 3/8 metal shackle on them. When the aircraft is on the ground. THis includes the most popular hooks for astars Onboard and Breeze eastern......

[CpnCrunch]

Wrong wrong wrong, A properly functioning hook of good quality has not problem dropping an empty line. If you used the wrong size load ring or no load ring at all, then you can have problems. An Onboard hook maybe takes 1lbs of weight to open. Even if it didn't a little shack from machine will cause it to fall open. Its New zealand, gods knows how he rigged it, or the low quality hook being used. But what he says in the that interview is wrong.

I do this kind of work for a living. Our hooks can open with just a small 3/8 metal shackle on them. When the aircraft is on the ground. THis includes the most popular hooks for astars Onboard and Breeze eastern......

I think he also says they didn't want to damage the structure. Anyway, I guess in hindsight he probably realises that it wasn't the smartest decision to land right next to the structure with the line still attached. But how come nobody reading their paperwork noticed a problem with the plan either?

[flyalmaguin]

Incredible video, glad the pilot wasn't hurt.

The news anchor looks like she might need some comforting.

[North Shore]

Well why would the line fall out of the hook? It's upside down in NZ - surely the weight of the line would have held the line in place?