The Canadian Helicopters Shaft

[Bladestrike]

Slightly off topic, but check out this link!

http://www.area29.com/flash/index.php?g=rockface

 

[407 Driver]

What's your point Fling Wing? Is it OK to drop something if it's an equipment failure? It was a CHC relay that failed, it's still a CHC dropped load. Still unacceptable.

I hear there's a lot of legal arm-wrestling over that load, I heard it was worth $400,000 USD?

Hey, we all drop loads, it happens, be man enough to admit it. When someone asks me what we did, I say, Gravity sucks, we dropped it !!!

PS, I have a great picture of a diamond-drill that CHC dropped, wanna copy? That one was only $150,000...

 

[frenchwrench]

I saw an uncommanded drop in 91,and it was blamed on static.. Never saw anouther. Bell wanted the cargo hooks wired to look for power not ground , so a shorted wire couldn't release the load. There is a double hook setup for the Astar, that needs two switches to be actuated to release the load,or one mechanical. uses two talon hooks.

 

[Fling Wing]

Hey 407 Driver, I am man enough to admit that the load fell off the CHL machine,thats not the point.The point is when T-REX starts to point the finger at the crew and blaming it on finger problems, he/she should know the facts and keep his/her big mouth shut. But your right gravity does suck,and s#*% happens.

 

[CEP]

I am one person that has experienced all 3 situations.Finger trouble,equipment malfunction,and dumping the load on purpose.The malfunctions happened twice,both on 212's,once with a full bucket,and once empty.

 

[T-rex]

I guess the old saying goes!!!! Check ALL of your equiptment before going flying!!!!
Hey 407, working with some fellows right now who "saw" the drill go bye-bye in the Kickinghorse! Hope things are going good down South there!

 

[CEP]

Just to clarify the eqpt.malfunction.The first time with the full bucket was after at least 8 drops,and the second with the empty bucket was after probably 8-10 drops.My checks for external loads are done before the job or in the morning if I know I will be slinging that day.Does T-Rex suggest checking the eqpt.after each lift??

 

[downwash]

Ours is only one of a number of shops I know that use a 'two-switch' release for the cargo hook. It's still not the perfect antidote for human frailty, but it substantially reduces the incidence of lost loads.

 

[RotorPilot]

Good question CEP

Waiting for a good answer to that one from T-Rex

 

[T-rex]

It's your call! If I was moving a $400-500K load dam right I would re-check the hook function!Would consider switching off the electrical side as well. Would also get the client to sign the insurance waiver form! By the way, Fling Wing,
Too bad you lost your quarterly Safety Chit! I guess this month no chance of winning your steak dinner at Mr. Mikes, courtisy of CHL!

 

[407 Driver]

T-Rex, my claim to fame is....I tried to move that Drill with a 212HP a few days before the fatal plunge. I succeeded (without loss of life or property), but told them that it HAD to be lightened by 400 lbs or we weren't comming back!!!! They said " NO, it didn't, 'cause they had another 212 that was willing to move it as-is.."

SPLASH !

Are you working with Tim and his crew from Vernon? He was the drill-pad builder on that job, and a darn good guy, tell him HI from here....

 

[CEP]

I have another question for Mr. T-Rex.
I am doing aerial construction,and there are multiple picks to complete the job.Among those picks are pieces that vary in cost of lets say,$50 to $100,000.
How do I efficiently get the job done,if I have to shut down the operation to check the system for the $100,000 pieces?

 

[T-rex]

407, Yes I am with Tim and crew. They are some of most professional crews that I have worked with. Those boys know their job! Well!
CEP, If you have any concerns over your equiptment, maybe you shouldn't do the job! The move in question here was one trip. The PIC has to choose how he conducts the trip! Electrical: Armed/Not Armed! YOUR CHOICE! Oh, and as for my first post on here, what happened to the dropped bag of recovery gear there FlingWing? Another Relay problem??
Just another day at the Red Crow!! Been there done that, along with many others on this forum. There are many Ex pilots, engineers, and BM's on this site. If you boys are disapointed at this topic, please don't go back into the history of this forum, God only knows what you boys at the Red Crow might wanna do then!

 

[Fling Wing]

To answer your question T-Rex, the bag of recovery gear was hooked up to the Astar's long-line with a regular manual release hook at the end along with a net as well,the net made it but the heli-bag did not. So who knows what happened,but before you or anybody else asks why they didn't put the heli-bag in the net I did,the answer was they thought of that after the fact.And just to set the record straight in regards to the "doghouse" it was the third or forth load of the mourning,the previous loads went without incident,and the overhead cargo release switch was in the off position.But maybe you could answer a question for me,if the purpose of the electrical release is to be able to jetison the load in the event of an emergency, then what good is it if it's in the off position?What's next do we start pulling the circuit breaker too?

 

[T-rex]

Not to beat a dead horse, but try the little pedal between the T/R pedals, works well!!!! That's what it's there for! Not saying things don't break, by all means they do! Actually lost a few loads myself! CHW even picked up the bill! Hopefully dosen't happen to anyone again, it hurts the entire industry!!! Good day!