On Sunday 11th
February 1996, in Rotorua New Zealand, two Jet Ranger
helicopters were seen to have a mid air collision.
For some reason, that
is unknown to the air accident inspectors, these two
helicopters were flying in close formation, when one
helicopter chopped off the undercarriage of the other
with its rotor blades.
Both helicopters
landed safely, although the landing of the one
without an undercarriage was a bit dodgy. The damage
to the other helicopter was minimal, and requires
only the replacement of one part, which can be
locally manufactured on a lathe at minor cost. The
public attending this airshow applauded the pilots
for what was percieved to be a rehersed display.
Another person, who noticed helicopter parts falling
from the sky to the ground nearby, was not quite so
amused.
The helicopters were
flying with one trailing the other, slightly behind
and below. The pilot of the rear helicopter was
presented with the "Dick of the Day" Award
for getting too close to the leader.
At the subsequent
hearing, both pilots maintain that they thought they
were "not that close", the facts speak
otherwise.
Northern Helicopter Modellers Club N.Z
