LTE - Loss of tail rotor effectiveness methinks. Too slow a rotation for tail rotor failure. Quite a strong wind blowing, all the signs of being classic LTE. At least he popped the floats out just in time!
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Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
- CharlieOneSix
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Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
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Re: Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
He looks to be handling it very carefully, until trying to establish the high hover out of ground effect. Then seems to decide he has to ditch it.
- CharlieOneSix
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Re: Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
LTE confirmed in pilot’s statement to the NTSB....
https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/Repor ... L&IType=LA
https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/Repor ... L&IType=LA
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
Re: Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
It's easy for me to be clever from a chair in my study, but if he suspected LTE on his first approach, wasn't it odd to try and repeat the manoeuvre? Heading easterly with a wind of 320 gusting 22 knots...the report doesn't mention his experience level though. The sort of thing that happened when we were young and too bold....
- CharlieOneSix
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Re: Helicopter into the Hudson 15/5/19
He had 858 helicopter hours including 100 on type. The only time I got incipient LTE I had enough height to drop collective and stuff the nose down - and yes, FD2, young and too bold when it happened and it was on aerial work not public transport.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org