AW169 rollover at Bolzano

[CharlieOneSix]

At first sight this looks as though he starts to taxy but realises the helicopter won't turn, so with left pedal still applied he or the other pilot releases the nosewheel lock and this is the result.

What doesn't quite add up is why he didn't quickly put on opposite pedal but maybe the G forces and being thrown around confused him. There is also the possibility that maybe a tail rotor hydraulic servo went to full travel on its own - it wouldn't be the first time.

AW169 rollover video

[ribrash]

Instead of getting clear one of those brave lads stood by the fire extinguisher just as the rotors smashed to bits.Lucky escape.

[fareastdriver]

That 'brave lad' had the feeling that things were going wrong! He is not standing by the fire extinguisher-he is cowering behind it!

[Boac]

What is wrong with "Shut the bloody thing down"?

[CharlieOneSix]

What is wrong with "Shut the bloody thing down"?

If the problem was a full travel tail rotor servo failure or similar uncommanded yaw input then I think that even with the mind and hands of a gunfighter in shutting down both engines, with that rate of rotation the helo would have rolled over before a reduction of tail rotor thrust took effect. If the problem was a hefty boot to the left then a hefty boot to the right might have saved it.

In 2016 a CHC S-92 helicopter had uncommanded yaw inputs - resulting in a slower fuselage rotation than the AW169 - whilst landing on the West Franklin platform in the North Sea. The AAIB report is here :

AAIB report G-WNSR

On the fixed wing side there were of course the fatal accidents due to uncommanded yaw inputs on Boeing 737 aircraft.

[CharlieOneSix]

There was another luckless day for a CHC S-92 off Brazil in 2017. I don't know the details of this unbelievable approach to land except that the pilot put the tail rotor into contact with the rig superstructure: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/194862

Oh, and the C16 helideck is nothing to do with me! I just love the way the passengers nonchalantly stroll off the helicopter as though it was a normal landing!