NTSB Bell 412 Tail rotor strike at Rantoul

[diverdriver 7]

Here is the link to the NTSB preliminary report. It is very cursory and provides little detail. Check the link later down the road for updates.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20020806X01314&key=1

Chris Schindler
www.diverdriver.com
ATP/D-19012
FB #4125

[Deuce 1]

Tail rotor?

At takeoff the tail rotor is higher because the heli rotates nose down, right? I thought the victim here took it in the chest?

Tragic. I'm wondering what kind of takeoff maneuver the pilot was engaged in when the rotor strike occurred.

[diverdriver 7]

You are assuming that the collision happened right after liftoff. I'm sure we will hear more detail before the final report comes out. But keep an eye on the link or my site.

Chris Schindler
www.diverdriver.com
ATP/D-19012
FB #4125

[quade 4]

You may want to remember that helicopters can and do takeoff in directions other than straight ahead.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Deuce 1]

Yeah, I understand that the Heli pilot might have taken off backwards and that's what got me thinking. If he pulled up the collective just enough to get it just off, and then took off in reverse, that might explain why this happened.

In that configuration if the victim stepped out in back of the heli to get a picture thinking the heli was going to go forward and up, lifting the tail rotor, and then the heli unexpectedly took off in reverse the tail rotor would drop and back into the victim.

It's very tragic, and is a reminder for us to have eye contact with heli pilots when approaching heli's.

[quade 4]

More importantly, just like you'd never approach an prop airplane from the front.

NEVER approach a helicopter from the rear.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[dbattman 0]

Unfortunately, air-ops are foreign to most people. I've seen a number of incidents at different places. People leaning on props, running around the tarmac with their cameras, walking up to the plane like it's a passing car (starting to move forward before it's even past them), even a 9 year old kid running up to the C150 as I was pulling into the ramp area (ignoring my frantic waving).

Now, consider how often you've said a few words to a visitor at your dropzone. Not a lecture or a scolding, just a head's up. Hey there! Welcome to the DZ. Please stay behind the yellow line or on the grass, don't touch the planes, ask questions if there's any doubt. Enjoy the show!

I do it more often than I feel I should, and that concerns me.

[kallend 2,151]

Quote

Replying to:
Re: [quade] NTSB Bell 412 Tail rotor strike at Rantoul by dbattman
Post:
Unfortunately, air-ops are foreign to most people. I've seen a number of
incidents at different places. People leaning on props, running around the
tarmac with their cameras, walking up to the plane like it's a passing car
(starting to move forward before it's even past them), even a 9 year old kid
running up to the C150 as I was pulling into the ramp area (ignoring my
frantic waving).

Yes - there should be laws to protect these poor people. I'd suggest foam rubber propellors with wire guards around them. Ditto for helicopter rotors.

[ojf1982 0]

I was there and here is my story:

The helicopter took off and went forward about 10 yards before the pilot did a hard bank to the right at that time I saw corn flying all over place and what seemed to be a bag. Well, Rod circles the area and lands in a hurry, then I saw someone start to run to were the blade hit the corn. I got in my golf cart, and saw that what i thought was a bag was actually the lower half of the victims body. I didnot see any portion of his body above his upper torso.

There was a fellow DZ.commer, Rhino, who was on the side of the helicopter when it happened. Whe he gets back im sure he will tell what he saw.

The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over - Hunter S. Thompson

[Segador 0]

Let me put a final correction on this..
I was in the back right hand side of the helicopter. We took off, went into max acceloration and banked HARD right just before the corner of the corn field. When that helicopter banks hard it is almost inverted. Just the other side of the corn was the individual in the crouching position, he went from the crouching position to the standing with his video camera in hand. I was looking him in the face when I saw the main rotor strike him 2 times. It actually hit him 3 times. There was a very loud and explosion sending dibris into the air. Without getting into detail "please don't ask" This was a terrible accident. My heart goes out to the victum, his new fiance, family, Rod and everyone.
His body was mostly intact. Please don't ask for details. I think respecting Rod and the victum and family dictates that this one be left alone. Aside from the fact that I would very much like to put it behind me all together.
I did alot of crying and drinking that night as did a few people I am sure. Let us all be carefull and make good decisions exercising some preventive maintenance and maybe this won't ever happen again.
Be safe, Blus skies,
Robert

posted in INCIDENTS as well..