Posted on 10/04/2011 12:43:38 PM PDT by Perdogg
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She had survived another helicopter crash earlier that same year.
We are 1 week away from the 5th anniversary of Cory Lidle’s crash into a NYC building while flying up the East River.
They are reporting one fatality and at least 2 in critical condition, with the other three (including the pilot) apparently either OK or not having life-threatening injuries.
Also reporting that the 2 in critical condition “may not make it”.
good gravy.
>> Helicopters do not crash land gracefully.
Ever heard of autorotate?
Yes, she was a member here a couple of years ago. I wonder what happened to her?
...37 bodies recovered so far...
According to one witness, it was “flying around and around in circles” prior to impact.
Sure sounds to me like he lost a tail rotor.
In lay terms, that’s when the helicopter not only twirls the rotor (the big propeller on top) but the rotor twirls the helicopter. It is very difficult to control a twirling helicopter, and since the rotor is wasting energy twirling the ship in stead of keeping it up in the air, down she comes with all hands on board.
I have often wondered why they can’t install a directional control rocket (like they use to control space craft in orbit) on the tail boom to counter the torque if the tail rotor quits working.
You could put an emergency button next to the appropriate steering pedal that the pilot could kick in if he lost the tail rotor and at least reduce counter spin sufficiently to have a chance to make a controlled emergency landing in stead of spinning in.
A really good chopper jockey might be able to control direction somewhat with a combination of pitch and collective... Long enough to bring it down, perhaps.
You could build a whistle into it to scream “Look out below!!!” and a red distress/illumination flare exhaust if it had to be activated.
Loss of tail rotor effectiveness or total loss...you’re suppose to immediately lower the collective. Allow the aircraft to settle and raise the collective as you get closer to the ground. Unfortunately if you have some altitude and you’re spinning it is hard to flare (do a full down auto as they would call it) and translate that energy to soften the landing. But yes, if they spin...that definitely challenges things at higher altitudes. A good pilot should recognize that immediately and enter the auto. But birds sometimes cause surprises.
negative, as a pilot I know that to be untrue. But given the situation, I would assume he had some tail rotor problems which complicate easier landings.
I’d much rather land a helicopter than an airplane, personally. Engine failures are easy in my experience (for heli’s).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPEJ07ecJvY
Personally, I never cared for the frozen margarita. In my opinion, it gives bartenders a license to use cheaper ingredients while still charging top shelf price because the customer can't tell the difference (the crushed ice masks much of the flavor).
I prefer my margarita straight up on the rocks with 100% agave tequila (preferably Herradura Blanco), Cointreau and some lime juice. Pure and simple. With quite a kick.
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