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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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/
Thats a keeper
Good write-up. Thanks.
Elaborate please
It’s not technically a river as I recall from my manhattanite years
More a tidal estuary
Can you say with 100% certainty that you would have opted to die with the passengers?
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.
Correct
But still has strong current generated by tides
Damn. Just damn.
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.
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.
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.
Because he was autorotating. No pitch no lift = faster rotor speed.
LOL, that's the ticket!
LOL
Just ask any Vietnam era Air Mobile Infantry grunt LOL.
Like the guy who said ‘I’d never ride in one..’ Long walk back to camp pal. Have fun.
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