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Post by ox on Sept 30, 2009 17:18:55 GMT 12
the first anyone in the RNZAF knew of the crash was it was announced on 1ZB radio station news update. It was only then that a search was mounted Dunno - but news through official channels was always slow. You could never get anything out of the comm ops, I'd would be all over the news and they wouldn't say a thing.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 30, 2009 17:24:06 GMT 12
After my time so not me I'm afraid.
I do recall another RNZAF photo that was used in the safety magazine and sent to several boatie magazines of a liferaft that was so badly rotten it was a joke. I was there when the photo was taken, I was working in the Liferaft Bay at Whenuapai in 1990. What happened was a chap who was friends with my Sgt, Steve Shervell, had bought a yacht in the Pacific and decided to sail it home. From memory he was in the RNZAF. On the way he hit some rough weatehr and became concerned about the survival gear onboard, so he'd asked Steve to check it over in his spare time. He brought the raft off this yacht in, and we opened it up. My goodness, what a mess. The pyros had become wet, disintergrated and contaminated everything. The raft was pouras as and could not hold air. But that didn't really matter as there was a rust hole in the air bottle that you could almost put your fist through. Everything about it was wrong. We called in the RNZAF photographer and it was circulated to alert boaties to check their safety gear. It caused quite a stir I believe. I used to have a copy but have lost it, would like to see that photo again.
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Post by lesterpk on Sept 30, 2009 20:39:59 GMT 12
Chewy - I think quite afw remember it, its still used today to remind aircrew to keep their helmets fitted well.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 30, 2009 22:33:29 GMT 12
Holy crap, that has taken the full weight too by the look of it. Amazing. Did he recover fully? Well done to ALPHA, a successful design.
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Post by chiefedge on Oct 3, 2009 19:56:55 GMT 12
A bit of thread creep, but good to see the huey helping out in Samoa. A rapid deployment so good work by those involved. Will the NH90 fit in a Herc? Disaster relief might take a while longer.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Oct 3, 2009 21:26:05 GMT 12
A bit of thread creep, but good to see the huey helping out in Samoa. A rapid deployment so good work by those involved. Will the NH90 fit in a Herc? Disaster relief might take a while longer. Why put it in a Herc as it can fly to the islands by itself as they have pretty long legs. Will still need the C-130 for the support personnel and equipment.
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Post by chiefedge on Oct 4, 2009 8:45:33 GMT 12
Even with its long legs, the Pacific Islands maybe just a bit too far. Maybe we could keep a couple of the lowest time Hueys in the shed just in case.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Oct 4, 2009 9:01:57 GMT 12
Even with its long legs, the Pacific Islands maybe just a bit too far. Maybe we could keep a couple of the lowest time Hueys in the shed just in case. Over 1200 km ferry range so Tonga/Samoa via Kermadec Islands. Get you nav right and no turning back. They will be cueing up to be stationed at Kermadec International Heliport
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Post by baz62 on Oct 4, 2009 9:48:36 GMT 12
Probably a bit quicker to get there in a Herc! ;D
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mrfish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 9
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Post by mrfish on Feb 17, 2011 22:29:44 GMT 12
Dave, Im at Cathay Pacific flying the 747.........Im pretty sure I didnt crash 3813 though I was just along for the ride, like everyone else on board. Chris Underwood was the co-pilot (also at Cathay Pacific, on the A330/A340)....and of course, Darren Goodwin was the HCM Fish
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Post by classicman on Feb 17, 2011 22:32:37 GMT 12
Fish - no names - you know the drill!
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mrfish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 9
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Post by mrfish on Feb 17, 2011 22:46:14 GMT 12
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2011 22:49:05 GMT 12
Bloody hell!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 17, 2011 22:55:52 GMT 12
and NZ3813 beforehand
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mrfish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 9
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Post by mrfish on Feb 17, 2011 23:03:08 GMT 12
This is Iroquois 13, Antarctica 1992...posing with Sir David Attenborough and her final flight to the wreckers yard.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 17, 2011 23:16:11 GMT 12
Wow, great photos Fish, it's great to have you on the forum mate. I suspected that might be you when I saw your username. How's things?
That crash looks very nasty, are you able to please tell us the story from your point of view?
By the way, where's Kingy these days?
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mrfish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 9
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Post by mrfish on Feb 17, 2011 23:55:58 GMT 12
Drive spline for the engine driven fuel pump failed due to a manufacturing alignment fault. The engine failure was simply a matter of time. We had just finished tasking that was mainly flown at 25ft and were climbing to 250ft for the last 2miles back to Waiouru. The engine didn't fail with a bang but simply ran-down, climbing through 50-60ft. We were at maximum weight, slightly downwind & had a density altitude of approx 4000ft......which means were were inside the avoid curve. A textbook engine off landing was impossible. The rotor rpm didnt recover when I entered autorotation (which was very scary indeed) We got the speed back to 40kts at touchdown but landed in a swamp. Skids ripped off immediately & the left cargo door ripped off and came through the cabin & the main rotor severed the vertical fin. By and large, that should have been the worst of it....but unfortunately we struck a massive flax bush (about 8 feet high). We were tossed back airborne and came down 51 degrees nose down....fortunately the main rotor hit the ground before the fuselage and we 'pole vaulted' over the main rotor, finally coming to rest on the LHS. It really was a story of "what good luck, what bad luck"....the swamp saved our lives for sure, but it also nearly killed us. 3 crew, 6 passengers......all survived and that's all that really matters. (Bell helicopters and Lycoming gave evidence that the fatality rate should have been over 50%) Ive flown with Chris once since the crash, when we were instructing on the Macchi.....but we haven't flown together in Cathay (probably for the best ) As for Kingi, he's very well. He's Check and Training Captain on the A330/340 for Qatar Airways, living in Doha.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 18, 2011 0:25:37 GMT 12
Wow, that is an amazing story, and very scary. Thanks for the details.
If you're talking to Kingi tell him I said hi please.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 21, 2011 13:48:30 GMT 12
I too am amazed that nobody was killed in this incident, especially considering there was a load of passengers onboard too.
Fish, I think your piloting skills were well and truly put to the test that day, but I think we can all say that you passed the test by getting everyone out alive.
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mrfish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 9
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Post by mrfish on Feb 21, 2011 16:41:15 GMT 12
Well shucks, thanks.....but it's all just good bar stories nowadays. Apart from the first 6secs, I was just along for the ride, like everyone else on-board! No skill in that - trust me.
I did however learn quite a few new things....the greatest being the "responsibility of command". As an aircraft Captain whether Civil or Military, Cessna 172 or Boeing 747....you have a lot of people (and their families) trusting that you do the right thing and keep their loved ones safe. It's all fun and games until the big red light comes on.....and then you are expected to do it right, first time! No real life emergency is "just like the simulator".....and you can never be too prepared.
On a lighter note, I can attest to NOT seeing my life flash before my eyes.....but to having some pretty strange 'final thoughts'!!
Lastly, we didn't actually crash into the ground.......but rather the Earth jumped up an hit us very very hard. I will never forget the ground-rush. (I imagine its what a tennis ball feels - as it sits silently - watching a tennis racket racing towards it!)
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