Helicopter crash

Unbelievably a third helicopter on the same rescue mission has crashed killing another three and injuring one .
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -air-crash

Who trined these pilots?? RAF???

RAF? I doubt it, as both choppers are American built.

Hi,
No MS. It was the US, for sure.

Updated information

Ref. url :-
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -3rd-crash

The crash was engine failure related and happened en route back to base camp 10 km,s from the first 2 tragic incidents.

How sad this all is and it makes you wonder all sorts of things and in my case initially when my wife told me about the 3rd crash that it was beginning to sound a bit dodgy to the least especially with 3 happening in such quick succession

RIP all those killed and our sincere condolences to their loved ones

merchant seaman wrote:Who trined these pilots?? RAF???

I sincerely hope that wasn't meant as a humorous remark or to score points in the joint relationship in such a serious and tragic circumstances but I will attempt to clarify. In Thailand the helicopters are not operated by the air force but the army and whilst I have no knowledge of the army pilots , I do have many acquaintances in the air force.I can assure you their skill and dedication is equal to , what I consider to be the finest air force in the world , bar none, the RAF.It would appear, though I have no knowledge outside of that reported in the general press, that the trouble was caused by equipment failure. Either the helicopters were too ancient or the ground maintenance staff were negligent in their duties. Unfortunately in a rotary winged craft when the engine cuts out you simply plummet to the ground, unlike a fixed wing plane that at least has a chance of gliding down .I am sure the professionalism of the pilots is not in question whatever nationality as no one would knowingly fly outside of their capability .Rest in peace to all those who died in the line of duty .

trubrit wrote:

merchant seaman wrote:Who trined these pilots?? RAF???

I sincerely hope that wasn't meant as a humorous remark or to score points in the joint relationship in such a serious and tragic circumstances but I will attempt to clarify. In Thailand the helicopters are not operated by the air force but the army and whilst I have no knowledge of the army pilots , I do have many acquaintances in the air force.I can assure you their skill and dedication is equal to , what I consider to be the finest air force in the world , bar none, the RAF.It would appear, though I have no knowledge outside of that reported in the general press, that the trouble was caused by equipment failure. Either the helicopters were too ancient or the ground maintenance staff were negligent in their duties. Unfortunately in a rotary winged craft when the engine cuts out you simply plummet to the ground, unlike a fixed wing plane that at least has a chance of gliding down .I am sure the professionalism of the pilots is not in question whatever nationality as no one would knowingly fly outside of their capability .Rest in peace to all those who died in the line of duty .

Not necessarily, as long as there's no damage to the rotor or rotor mast a helicopter has auto rotation capability. Even with total engine failure it can land safely.

papaguido wrote:

Not necessarily, as long as there's no damage to the rotor or rotor mast a helicopter has auto rotation capability. Even with total engine failure it can land safely.

I presume you are talking from personal experience or is it something you have read ?

trubrit wrote:

papaguido wrote:

Not necessarily, as long as there's no damage to the rotor or rotor mast a helicopter has auto rotation capability. Even with total engine failure it can land safely.

I presume you are talking from personal experience or is it something you have read ?

Actually it is from personnel experience.

By the way, that's common knowledge among most US military aviators

Trubrit, " no one would knowingly fly outside of their capability."

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you TB,, unfortunately, IMHO, the macho image and loss of face syndrome is not uncommon in Asia and pilots have made decisions beyond their capabilities. I don't want to get into specific occurances, it would serve no point. Sometimes pilots, especially military rescues, also make decisions based on pure unselfishness, out of a desire to help their brother,,,,,,,,,,, and there are people alive because of it. God Bless those that put themselves in harms way, that others may live. RIP

And yes, I would hazard a completely uneducated guess that more people have survived a chopper auto rotate than fixed wing unpowered crashes. just MHO.

papaguido wrote:


Actually it is from personnel experience.

By the way, that's common knowledge among most US military aviators

Please enlighten us as to your personal experience. I am always willing to learn .

trubrit wrote:

papaguido wrote:


Actually it is from personnel experience.

By the way, that's common knowledge among most US military aviators

Please enlighten us as to your personal experience. I am always willing to learn .

and here I thought you knew it all

Anyway, not much to gain from my experience. I wasn't the pilot, I was riding passenger.