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ROTORWASH, I'M NOT FOLLOWING YOU ABOUT THE ROTOR STRIKING THE TAIL BOOM. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE UNLESS THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A STRUCTURAL FAILURE? CAN THE ROTOR PHYSICALLY TOUCH THE BOOM WITHOUT SOMETHING HAVING ALREADY CHANGED POSITIONS STRUCTURALLY? I'M NOT DISAGREEING JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. ON A FIXED WING PLANE THE PROP CAN NEVER TOUCH THE FUSELAGE UNLESS SOMETHING HAS ALREADY BROKEN OR BENT. COMMON SENSE TELLS ME THE SAME ENGINEERING WOULD GO INTO A ROTOR CRAFT.
quote:
Originally posted by jmzgal:
.why would he be shooting at a helicopter that was trying to rescue him?


This is where it was mentioned that the hunter possibly fired a shot into the air.

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080111/NEWS/801110329/0/FRONTPAGE

[Quote]Emergency workers were on the ground, searching for the hunter, and heard a gunshot, presumably a signal from the hunter. They followed the sound and found the hunter's vehicle. The helicopter then used a searchlight on the hunter, the report states. The aircraft was about 100 to 150 feet above the trees.[UNQUOTE]
lbself1, The rotor system on a helicopter is very flexible. The blades are hollow composite material filled with honeycomb. In flight during windy conditions it is normal to see the blades flight path move. Remember they are much longer than an airplane's blades. When a helicopter flies, the pilot is actually moving the rotor disk. The body of the helicopter is balanced to "hang" under the blades. We do not attempt to start our helicopter during a 15 knot wind gust spread due to the possibility of the rotor striking the tailboom during the start-up procedure. Normally this would not be a concern. When the throttle is @ 100 % the RPM's are high, the blades are at their strongest point and more rigid. If the pilot is struggling for control and the aircraft is pitching and yawing it would be possible that the blades could flex under stress and if the aircraft was pitching forward (nose down)with the pilot reacting and pulling back the disk would be pulled up in the front and down in the back before the body of the helicopter could "catch up"......We are only talking about a small area out near the ends of the blade would be able to strike the tail boom, but its enough.

Please keep in mind that these are all just possibilities. I just think that if everyone knows how so many things could have played a role it will help understand why it's so important to let the NTSB finish.

"If this were the case with a helicopter at low altitudes on low speed, one can only imagine how fast things could happen when faced with a similar occurance." unclegus.

AMEN, you are exactly right. Any hiccup at low altitude and no forward airspeed would be almost impossible to recover from....

I hope we all understand what happened in the end.

Bruce
"Probably best not to spectulate as to what happened, it only starts rumor's. When that final report comes out, all questions should be answered." Taciturn

You are absolutely right.

I want to point out that I do not know what happened. I just felt like there were several people who did not understand how many variables that would be considered in the investigation. By understanding what some of the hazards are will help prevent someone from jumping to conclusions. My attempt was just to explain some of the conditions and by that we could all see how it would be impossible to come to a conclusion before the investigation is finished.

I agree with you and I think most everyone understands....Thanks for your input. Our focus has now turned to rebuilding and the new aircraft should be arriving at the base within the hour. It's coming from Indianapolis.

Bruce
quote:
Originally posted by rotorwash:
You are absolutely right.
I want to point out that I do not know what happened. I just felt like there were several people who did not understand how many variables that would be considered in the investigation. By understanding what some of the hazards are will help prevent someone from jumping to conclusions. My attempt was just to explain some of the conditions and by that we could all see how it would be impossible to come to a conclusion before the investigation is finished. Bruce


Bruce, I'm sorry, what I said wasn't intended for you. Wink
I meant it for the ones that "have heard this or that". You are very much appreciated for explaining things to us the way you have.

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