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Tour helicopter crashes into East River, pilot scrambles to safety [BREAKING STORY, 5 submerged]
NY Post ^ | March 11, 2018 | By Larry Celona, Tina Moore, Joe Marino and Max Jaeger

Posted on 03/11/2018 5:23:01 PM PDT by Enchante

A tourist helicopter plunged into the East River on Sunday night, leaving at least five people trapped inside the sinking vessel while the pilot scrambled to safety, police sources said.

The Eurocopter AS350 went down around 88th Street, near Gracie Mansion, at about 7:15 p.m., sources said.

The pilot was able to get out and climb aboard a raft — but five others remained trapped inside the upside-down helicopter, according to sources.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: accident; aviation; crash; eastriver; helicopter; newyork; ny; nyc
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To: norcal joe

From the link I posted above, it is obvious no one, including the pilot, had flotation vests on.

So here a a pilot, not an Olympic swimmer, maybe not even able to swim across an Olympic size pool in summer weather, barely made it out, in shock from the cold, no vest, poor swimmer (maybe).....going back in was probably beyond his physical capabilities.

His landing was under control. Up to that point, it appears that he did his part. Beyond that point it is seriously unfair to criticize or even question his actions.

Unless we know that this accident is a result of pilot error, questioning his actions is very unfair.


101 posted on 03/11/2018 9:32:07 PM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so terrible, so disgraceful, that the federal government can not make worse)
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To: norcal joe

I forgot to add that to go back in the flopper, he probably would have lost control of the raft. You can bet he had a death grip on it and there was no way he would let it go floating down the river without him.


102 posted on 03/11/2018 9:40:21 PM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so terrible, so disgraceful, that the federal government can not make worse)
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To: norcal joe

If you google the east river, you will find out that this time of the year it is very cold.

https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_current_water_temperature_of_the_East_River_in_NYC

That would just about stop your heart.

And in other links, you will find that the current is quite strong a treacherous.

No way he would let go of that raft.


103 posted on 03/11/2018 10:00:02 PM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so terrible, so disgraceful, that the federal government can not make worse)
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To: Eddie01

Yep. He was the only survivor, everyone else is dead......

https://nypost.com/2018/03/12/all-five-passengers-dead-after-east-river-helicopter-crash/


104 posted on 03/11/2018 11:24:43 PM PDT by GrandJediMasterYoda (The remoulade was a trifle tart, but the souflee for dessert more than made up for it.)
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To: gov_bean_ counter

Thats a keeper


105 posted on 03/12/2018 12:06:17 AM PDT by silverleaf (A man who kneels for the national anthem doesn't stand for much of anything)
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To: willgolfforfood

Good write-up. Thanks.


106 posted on 03/12/2018 12:48:13 AM PDT by Ronald_Magnus
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To: Vendome

Elaborate please


107 posted on 03/12/2018 12:56:15 AM PDT by wardaddy (As a southerner I've never trusted the Grand Old Party.....any questions?)
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To: old curmudgeon

It’s not technically a river as I recall from my manhattanite years

More a tidal estuary


108 posted on 03/12/2018 12:59:50 AM PDT by wardaddy (As a southerner I've never trusted the Grand Old Party.....any questions?)
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

Can you say with 100% certainty that you would have opted to die with the passengers?


109 posted on 03/12/2018 4:24:41 AM PDT by trebb (I stopped picking on the mentally ill hypocrites who pose as conservatives...mostly ;-})
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To: dragnet2

I saw a video of the crash in real time. The only people who would have likely been able to exit in time are SEALs.


110 posted on 03/12/2018 5:16:40 AM PDT by VietVet876
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To: wardaddy

Correct

But still has strong current generated by tides


111 posted on 03/12/2018 5:24:51 AM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so terrible, so disgraceful, that the federal government can not make worse)
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

Damn. Just damn.


112 posted on 03/12/2018 6:41:52 AM PDT by null and void (The difference between the democrats and the GOPe is the GOPe has a smaller fire under the frog pot.)
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To: Enchante

Years ago on a few business trips I drove to Newark airport where I took a helicopter trip to JFK. The helicopter trip included a drop off/pick up stop in Manhattan on the East River before heading to JFK. I usually made a return trip on the helicopter back to Newark when I returned to NY. Great - fantastic birds eye views of NY Harbor, Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan; particularly great at night. Glad my pilots and their helicopters were always in top shape.


113 posted on 03/12/2018 6:51:23 AM PDT by Wuli (qu)
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To: Enchante

Flotation devices deployed out of sequence, causing the aircraft to roll over. The Navy had those on their H-3, aircrews would not use them and eventually they where disabled.

1500 Hours in UH-1E/N Marine helicopters. loved being a Skid Kid back in the day.


114 posted on 03/12/2018 7:44:49 AM PDT by Garvin (Always remember folks, kill a commie for mommy ~ Semper Fi, Mac!)
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To: utahagen
Old story..............

When I was a teenager...I flew quite a bit from and to SoCal.

One day I asked my Dad..if I could just take the helicopter from Disneyland Hotel..to LAX. He said sure....

I did...and it was horribly loud..but quick. Had a headache when I got to LAX...

That company had 2 or 3 helicopters fall out of the sky...after I "enjoyed" my ride.

115 posted on 03/12/2018 9:34:21 AM PDT by Osage Orange (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot)
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To: PAR35
Looks like the rotor was still spinning pretty well when the tips hit the water as it rolled over.

Because he was autorotating. No pitch no lift = faster rotor speed.

116 posted on 03/12/2018 12:05:08 PM PDT by xone
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda
At least with planes you can glide or parachute out.

LOL, that's the ticket!

117 posted on 03/12/2018 12:10:27 PM PDT by xone
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To: utahagen
but because most people don’t realize how dangerous flying in helicopters is. It’s just not worth it to do it for kicks.

LOL

118 posted on 03/12/2018 12:15:25 PM PDT by xone
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To: xone
but because most people don’t realize how dangerous flying in helicopters is

Just ask any Vietnam era Air Mobile Infantry grunt LOL.

119 posted on 03/12/2018 12:21:53 PM PDT by redcatcherb412 (Emerged intact.)
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To: redcatcherb412

Like the guy who said ‘I’d never ride in one..’ Long walk back to camp pal. Have fun.


120 posted on 03/12/2018 12:24:43 PM PDT by xone
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