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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 4, 2014 7:17:41 GMT 12
"Two people have been seriously hurt after a topdressing aircraft clipped trees on take-off and crashed in central Hawke's Bay. The plane was taking off from Otane around 6.15am on Tuesday when the accident happened, a Fire Service spokesman says. The aircraft's two occupants were seriously injured but were also described as being in a stable condition. No further details were available." home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=181486&fm=psp,tsf
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Feb 4, 2014 9:45:55 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2014 10:21:56 GMT 12
Sad news for all involved. I wish the two injured people well.
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Post by helikiwi on Feb 4, 2014 10:29:16 GMT 12
Short little strip if it's robins one
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 4, 2014 10:50:33 GMT 12
Radio is saying they clipped a deer fence and both are badly injured, in their 60's according to reports and one man is not at all well. Wishing them both the best with recovery and treatment.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Feb 4, 2014 14:00:53 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 17:47:25 GMT 12
Goodness, I heard about the accident on my way to New Plymouth for work today. When I heard Otane I thought of Robin, who used to own and operate CBG.
My best to him and his passenger for a speedy recovery.
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 4, 2014 23:55:32 GMT 12
I can confirm that Robin (a relative) in in ICU at HB hospital in Hastings.
Whilst I don't know the condition of his Loadie Robbie has both arms broken, both legs broken & a broken pelvis.
The accident happened on landing, not takeoff as originally reported & thank God there was no fire.
Great work by those first on the scene - both were conscious & fantastic work by the Lowe Walker rescue helicopter crew and ambo's.
Those who know Robin are aware that he is not a risk taker - with well over 25,000 hours of ag ops logged this is his most serious accident. I have flown off the strip (& yes it is pretty short) many times in his 185, Fletchers & Cresco's as I was his loadie for a few months & the strip is long enough to haul a load of super off it with a 400.
I will keep everyone updated.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2014 9:25:28 GMT 12
Many thanks for your update on Robin and Robbie. All the best to you and the two families.
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Post by kiwibeavers on Feb 6, 2014 16:17:31 GMT 12
"Minimal injuries considering the state of the aircraft" is a reply I got from a forum member on my Facebook post regarding this accident.
Minimal injuries??? Robin may have to go to Middlemore for specialist treatment of his mangled legs, let alone his fractured pelvis and broken arms.
And poor Billy is even worse off, probably back on the operating table today for another 12 hours. Minimal injuries??
The bloody aircraft is in better shape than the 2 guys that were in it. The Rescue crew took an hour to free them, had to drag the engine and firewall off them and also tie the rear of the plane to a tractor to stop it moving.
I wonder how Robin is feeling knowing Billy is pretty rooted at this stage, let alone dealing with his own situation with "minimal injuries" and wrecking somebody's aircraft.
Some people need to keep their ridiculous comments to themselves.
I have deleted the post and the idiot who made the comment.
Helen also said that the article in the local newspaper by yet another know-all journo blamed Robin for the accident. So she complained and the article has been retracted.
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 7, 2014 1:37:33 GMT 12
Robin was moved from ICU today, great news but add a badly fractured eye socket to the list of injuries above. And I understand Billy had a day in surgery today as mentioned above, his condition is worse than Robin so everyone's thoughts & prayers are with him & his family. Tosspot journo's & their mis-placed judgments are the last thing any of the families need right now
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Post by John L on Feb 26, 2014 15:33:18 GMT 12
Any update on the lads?
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Post by kiwibeavers on Feb 26, 2014 18:23:50 GMT 12
Spoke to Bruce last Saturday, Billy is still in a bad way, has an internal infection so they cannot operate again until that has cleared up. They need to insert more Titanium in an arm and leg. Going to be a long road for poor Billy who has to be spoon fed and needs constant attention. Robin is progressing slowly but he too has a long way to go. LTE has been written off after around 11,000 hours, most flown by Bruce himself. Anyone with a Cresco in the garage, please give Bruce a call
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Mar 8, 2014 0:52:53 GMT 12
Robin was discharged from hospital late Tuesday after making incredible progress. He is still wheelchair bound and has a long road to recovery but is in good spirits and hopes to eventually return to flying.
It was nice catching up with him at home on Wednesday & hearing how things played out - not all as some may think but lets wait for the official report. Interestingly the job they flew out to start that day has still not been done, it's not stopped blowing in all that time! They returned to Otane due to wind after a call from the farmer (not fog).
With full tanks it is still amazing that there was no fire, 500L of jet A1 would have made a nasty mess & fortunately the turbine died on impact & didn't 'run away' as they can do.
Billy is out of ICU but has a lengthy spell ahead in hospital, we wish him all the best for his recovery.
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Post by delticman on Mar 8, 2014 8:53:41 GMT 12
I called in to see Robin yesterday, he had a day at the hospital, having some plaster removed and replaced. He is making an amzing recovery, also being at home will speed up recovery.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2014 9:04:21 GMT 12
I'm so glad to hear these updates. Thanks, gents :-) And all my best wishes to both.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2014 9:19:49 GMT 12
I don't know either chap involved but it's heartening to hear the progress in their recoveries. Thanks for the updates.
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Post by kiwibeavers on Mar 8, 2014 11:41:05 GMT 12
Bruce was getting LTP ready to take the place of LTE, if there are any keen photographers around in the Hawkes Bay area, a photo or two of it working would be great. It hasn't topdressed with a PT6 up front.
Cheers.
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Post by delticman on Mar 8, 2014 12:48:24 GMT 12
Ah, another trip to the Bay?
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Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 24, 2014 5:13:18 GMT 12
Spoke with Robin lastnight, he is progressing well, has actually walked on his own the last couple of days. Feels a bit "bionic" with a plate and screws in his left arm. His cracked hip has healed by itself, his 2 broken legs are coming right as is his broken cheekbone. He said it is quite amazing how the body repairs itself. Billy is also progressing quite well, is out of hospital and is in a Nursing Home type unit. He is in a lot better shape than a few weeks ago. Robin reckons sitting there trapped waiting for someone to turn up for what seemed like a lifetime wasn't the most thrilling part of his career, hoping the jet fuel wouldn't ignite. Been a long road but both of them are getting there. Robin will be back flying as soon as he can.
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