Leszek Miller, Polish PM injured in a crash of the 26-year-old Soviet-era Mi-8 helicopter

cnn ^ | 05.12.2003

[kaiser80]

WARSAW, Poland (Reuters) -- Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has vowed to attend a key European Union summit next week, even in a body cast if must be, after injuring his spine in an emergency helicopter landing.

Miller and 14 people were injured when a government helicopter carrying them crashed in a forest near Warsaw during the emergency landing, apparently due to an engine failure late on Thursday . No one was in critical condition.

[Ken522]

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller should have been in a Blackhawk.

[kaiser80]

Mi-8 is a good helicopter, but I would be afraid driving a 26-years-old car not mentioning a helicopter ;)

[JRandomFreeper]

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller should have been in a Blackhawk.

Yes, but consider the bragging rights. To have lived through a helicopter crash of any kind, much less a soviet era relic, can really add to a round of 'Well, that's impressive, but let me tell you about.....'

/john

[tet68]

Hemmingway had a word that the africans used for folks who survived an airplane crash, I think it was N'dige or something like that.

[JRandomFreeper]

Best boss I ever had was a retired Marine Col. with a PhD in philosophy. He had twice survived helicopters shot down in Viet Nam.

His right arm was fused into a shape where he could hold a pen and sign his name, if he moved his entire shoulder. Tough old barstid, but very smart, and very funny. He was also very good about supporting good ideas with action, and backing up his people.

/john

[matrix2225]

Everything is fine. I spoke with my brother in Poland. Situation is under control. He is recovering, and Jan Pawel II is praying for him.

[matrix2225]

Here is article about helicopter.

Mi-8 HIP
The MI-8 HIP is a multi-role transport helicopter capable of carring troops or supplies as well as conducting armed attackes with rockets and guns. It is often used to resupply guerrillas, insert detachments or provide close air support to attacking units. Designed as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 proved a multi-purpose machine. The cable external suspension, equipped with the weight-measuring device, makes it possible to carry large size cargoes weighing up to three tons. If required, it became both combat, rescue and artillery observation helicopter.
The large, five-blade main rotor is mounted over the engine at the body midsection, while a weapon-carrying platform is mounted at the lower body midsection. External stores are mounted on weapons racks on each side of the fuselage. The HIP C has four external hardpoints; the HIP E, HIP H, have six; other variants have none. Not all available munitions are employed at one time, mission dictates weapon configuration. Twin turboshaft engines are mounted on top of the fuselage with two round air intakes just above the cockpit and rounded exhaust ports aft. The Mi-8 is capable of single-engine flight in the event of loss of power by one engine (depending on aircraft mission weight) because of an engine load sharing system. If one engine fails, the other engine’s output is automatically increased to allow continued flight. The fuselage consists of a long, bus-like body with a rounded nose and glassed-in cockpit. Interior seats are removable for cargo carrying. The rear clamshell doors open, an internal winch facilitates loading of heavy freight. Floor has tiedown rings throughout. The aircraft carries a rescue hoist capable to 150 kg, and a cargo sling system capable to 3,000 kg. Two fuel pods are offset and mounted low on the body, which features an upswept rear section and tricycle landing gear. The tail boom tapers to the small, swept-back, and tapered fin with rotor on top right or left, with small flats mounted forward of the fin.

The first Mi-8 flew in January of 1960, and by 1985, more than 1500 Mi-8 were built. Mil Moscow helicopter plant joint stock company is the major designer and producer of military transport, civil transport, heavy-lift,multi-role helicopters. Mil is associated with the Rostov and Kazan production enterprises. Kazan is the oldest helicopter manufacturing plant in Russia and makes Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. the Mi-8 was exported to Czechoslovakia, Algeria, East Germany, Hungary, Bolivia, Poland, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Finland, and Ethiopia.

[GeronL]

The MI-8 HIP is such an UGLY thing too

[GeronL]

Its the Soviet Huey!

[matrix2225]

Yes it is lol, you make me lough. LOL.

[GeronL]

The Hueyski?

[McGavin999]

Prayers for his speedy recovery.

[matrix2225]

He is fine. That is polish resolution, be strong, don't give up and move on.

[Severa]

Damn. Talk about your 'clank clank'. Kudos to the Prime Minister.

[JustPiper]

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller has vowed to attend a key European Union summit next week, even in a body cast if must be, after injuring his spine in an emergency helicopter landing.

The heart of the Polish people is what makes us so strong!