Rescue 116 Crash at Blackrock, Co Mayo(Mod note in post 1)

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

Search for Coast Guard helicopter to focus on 'three hour window'

Those quotes confirm that she was recovered from the sea & where the "still strapped in" comment came from.

...And Justice wrote: »

Thanks, I still have it in my head, how the others were not nearby. Still can't understand why the others haven't been found? The pings from the chopper were still live 15 hours after on marine traffic.

It shows on marine traffic but it wasn't transponding. It's a latest position & not updated.

Despite all the training it is extremely difficult to exit a helicopter in a catastrophic event. It may well be that she was checking something & not tethered.

The ping from the recorder wasn't found until much later during the sea search

...And Justice wrote: »

Thanks, I still have it in my head, how the others were not nearby. Still can't understand why the others haven't been found? The pings from the chopper were still live 15 hours after on marine traffic.

I don't understand it either, tidal streams are minimal in the area, (despite what someone said on newstalk) I've been around there several times in a sailing boat .

...And Justice wrote: »

Thanks, I still have it in my head, how the others were not nearby. Still can't understand why the others haven't been found? The pings from the chopper were still live 15 hours after on marine traffic.

I dont want to be overly speculative but if the aircraft broke up due to CFIT prior to impacting the water it doesn't seem implausible that somebody could be ejected prior to the remaining fuselage sinking to the floor.

Or has there been clarification that remains arent colocated with the blackbox? Happy to be corrected there if I've missed coverage regarding that.
EDIT:

sjb25 wrote: »

http://news.sky.com/story/search-for-irish-helicopter-crew-after-crash-10804331

"Three men missing since their search and rescue helicopter crashed off the west coast of Ireland may be strapped in their seats in the wreckage."

This appears to satisfy why they havent been found, why their personal beacons were never detected etc.

ED E wrote: »

I dont want to be overly speculative but if the aircraft broke up due to CFIT prior to impacting the water it doesn't seem implausible that somebody could be ejected prior to the remaining fuselage sinking to the floor.

Or has there been clarification that remains arent colocated with the blackbox? Happy to be corrected there if I've missed coverage regarding that.
EDIT:

"Three men missing since their search and rescue helicopter crashed off the west coast of Ireland may be strapped in their seats in the wreckage."

This appears to satisfy why they havent been found, why their personal beacons were never detected etc.

The interview suggests that they think the blackbox is in the fuselage with the crew. A helicopter hitting the sea at speed is like hitting concrete. Add in the effect of the rotors & anyone not strapped in can be ejected especially if the door was open or broke away. The rescue drills are based on a controlled ditch at sea & the helicopter rolling over as the engines are on top

ED E wrote: »

I dont want to be overly speculative but if the aircraft broke up due to CFIT prior to impacting the water it doesn't seem implausible that somebody could be ejected prior to the remaining fuselage sinking to the floor.

Or has there been clarification that remains arent colocated with the blackbox? Happy to be corrected there if I've missed coverage regarding that.
EDIT:

"Three men missing since their search and rescue helicopter crashed off the west coast of Ireland may be strapped in their seats in the wreckage."

This appears to satisfy why they havent been found, why their personal beacons were never detected etc.

This is the one part that has confused me since Tuesday, how the pilot was the only one found.

Steve wrote: »

I don't understand it either, tidal streams are minimal in the area, (despite what someone said on newstalk) I've been around there several times in a sailing boat .

But if she was in the water for 5 hours she could of drifted. Plus I don't recall seeing where she was recovered.

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

It is possible that she survived the crash, freed herself but siccome to her injuries later. All speculation of course

Not really. Unlikely that anyone could survive that long in the sea.

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Are the forecasted winds in the area between today and Sunday likely to cause significant underwater movement at the depth at which the main wreckage is lying? Just wondering, as if it is reasonably well cushioned where it is, and will not be compromised further, does it take some urgency off the recovery efforts (in the interests of maximising safety in a hostile environment topside)?

No but it will make any recovery ops impossible.

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

It is possible that she survived the crash, freed herself but succomed to her injuries later. All speculation of course

Discodog wrote: »

Not really. Unlikely that anyone could survive that long in the sea.

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

That's what I'm saying. Survived the impact, freed herself but didn't survive thereafter.

Really?

No speculation, read the first post again.

...And Justice wrote: »

Thanks, I still have it in my head, how the others were not nearby. Still can't understand why the others haven't been found? The pings from the chopper were still live 15 hours after on marine traffic.

There are no pings when Marine Traffic is turned off, the color fades away but it stays for a number of hours to show where the last contact was recorded. Check the other helicopters even though they are shut down you can still see what track they done before shut down

Steve wrote: »

No but it will make any recovery ops impossible.

I understand that, but if swells and topside turmoil don't degrade the integrity of the fuselage and its contents, then discretion will be the better part of valour. I'm sure the professionals will have all this well within their strategy; however it may need underlining for the rest of us over the coming days as the urge to recover might not be able to be met a quickly as everyone might like.

This is where the communications strategy is very important. Indeed the CoastGuard service and AAIU seems to have been very well served by their spokespersons since the tragedy occurred, and they have been well able to bridle the kind of solution-hunting questioning Prime Time engaged in last night. As the days go on, they will need to get further out in front of the situation, to manage expectations, explain circumstances and keep relatives and colleagues informed of progress (even where that is limited by circumstances).

adam88 wrote: »

I think at a delicate stage of the fight I.e preparing to land in poor visibility, the sop's would require for both to be in the cockpit

Some of the SAR pilots on another forum suggested the opposite. That it was a routine procedure. How many escape hatches are there ?

Stheno wrote: »

Valentina Savory Pacemaker wrote: »

On a side note.
The Coast Guard Station on Howth Pier are open in the afternoons this weekend with a book of condolences.
They are appreciative of people calling in.

Popped in today to sign the book.

Good to know, thanks will pop in Sunday are they beside the yacht club?

That is the RNLI. Coast Guard is on west pier along where the trawlers and fish shops are.