Leicester FC owner's helicopter crashes

[Nereus]

The following is stolen from another forum, but the poster is a very experienced and highly qualified pilot: (despite being a Kiwi)
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……..but the reality of sudden TR drive failure at 200' with high power and low airspeed, and at night, the world outside starts spinning at such a rate that you can't comprehend what's outside, and you have no sensible directional control of the helicopter, and no amount of conscious effort will head you where you might wish to go. You just arrive at the scene of the accident wherever the course of events takes you. Even the most skilled pilot almost becomes a passenger. The best you can hope for is to drop the collective to the floor, shut off the engines, apply collective when ground contact is imminent, and do your best to keep it upright with cyclic. You most certainly will not be able to steer it in any direction of choice if it is spinning all the way down. If you have height and speed in your favor then you have more options.

[oakdale160]

Accident or sabotage??

[HHTel]

I understand the function of a TR. However, how do helicopters without a TR work.

[Nereus]

I understand the function of a TR. However, how do helicopters without a TR work.

Not very well!

A tail rotor is more correctly called an "anti-torque" rotor. In a conventional main and tail rotor type helicopter it is there to oppose and balance the torque reaction caused by the main rotor. The old physics equal and opposite reaction.

There are several different design methods used in helicopters without a tail rotor.

The Hughes "No-Tar" uses a fan to produce a large and variable airflow that is directed down a hollow tail boom and out "vents" at the tail end of the boom, directed to have a similar function to a tail rotor.

A "co-axial rotor" system uses two identical counter rotating main rotors, one above the other, the reaction torque is cancelled out because of this, so no tail rotor is needed.

A "Chinook" also has two main rotors which also rotate in opposite directions, but mounted at each end of the helicopter. Very complex control system!

[StevePIraq]

Accident or sabotage??

the conspiracy theories begin.

[Nereus]

Not sure what the posted video is about, as I cannot open it. The following is not very nice, but shows just what happened. And before any one starts asking, the takeoff profile is textbook up until the attempted transition to forward flight.
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[Big Boy]

Same video - your's embeds.

[Edit] Your video is better, I'll delete mine.

[STEVE G]

That video seems to pretty much show what Nereus quotes at the top of this page about the lack of control available following a failure of this type.

[Thailightzone]

Due to the spinning its some form of tail rotor/transmission failure or pilot incapacitation

[Nereus]

Due to the spinning its some form of tail rotor/transmission failure or pilot incapacitation

So from that I assume that you are somehow involved with the UK AAIB investigation?

People have been killed in this accident, and some respect should be shown, rather than unfounded speculation.
The press in general has made enough unfounded statements.
Thank you.

[StevePIraq]

Due to the spinning its some form of tail rotor/transmission failure or pilot incapacitation

So from that I assume that you are somehow involved with the UK AAIB investigation?

People have been killed in this accident, and some respect should be shown, rather than unfounded speculation.
The press in general has made enough unfounded statements.
Thank you.

Well said, far to many experts here who always seem to know the answer before a formal investigation is complete, and this doesn't just apply to this topic.

[HHTel]

I lived near the Farnborough investigation site before moving here. These investigations can take weeks/months to conclude so I wouldn't thing there'll be any news of the cause for a while.

[Thailightzone]

Due to the spinning its some form of tail rotor/transmission failure or pilot incapacitation

So from that I assume that you are somehow involved with the UK AAIB investigation?

People have been killed in this accident, and some respect should be shown, rather than unfounded speculation.
The press in general has made enough unfounded statements.
Thank you.

As opposed to your earlier statements #30 proclaiming the experience of the pilot, and statements about the pilots optons in this scenario.

That spinning action is a distinct sign, I don't have to be a member of the UK AIB or an aeronautical engineer to come to this conclusion based upon what I see.

You'd be best to adopt your own advice before coming to conclusions about my aviation knowledge or history.

Sheesh. I had better not ever post about the weather in Thailand because I am not a meteorologist.

[Nereus]

Due to the spinning its some form of tail rotor/transmission failure or pilot incapacitation

So from that I assume that you are somehow involved with the UK AAIB investigation?

People have been killed in this accident, and some respect should be shown, rather than unfounded speculation.
The press in general has made enough unfounded statements.
Thank you.

As opposed to your earlier statements #30 proclaiming the experience of the pilot, and statements about the pilots optons in this scenario.

That spinning action is a distinct sign, I don't have to be a member of the UK AIB or an aeronautical engineer to come to this conclusion based upon what I see.

You'd be best to adopt your own advice before coming to conclusions about my aviation knowledge or history.

Sheesh. I had better not ever post about the weather in Thailand because I am not a meteorologist.

Evidently something wrong with your English comprehension as well.
My post is about speculating when there are deaths involved, nothing to do with what you may or may not know.

[PeteC]

The entire Leicester PL team is on their way to Thailand for the funeral as soon as their match with Cardiff finishes today, which will be around 1700 hours England time.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... s/30357823