Катастрофы и аварии вертолетов Bell 206

На Аляске затонул военный вертолет, трое погибли


Как стало известно в пятницу, на Аляске во время сильнейшей снежной бури произошла авария вертолета ВВС США, на борту которого находились пять человек, работников федеральной авиационной администрации. В результате машина упала в воды залива Кука в пяти километрах от международного аэропорта Анкориджа имени Теда Стивенса. Известно, что вертолет следовал с острова Фаер, находящегося в 8 км от аэропорта. Сообщается, что двух человек удалось спасти. Еще трое считаются пропавшими без вести. Из-за непогоды после часа поиска спасатели были вынуждены свернуть работы и вернуться на базу. Поисковые мероприятия продолжатся, когда это станет технически возможным. //Associated Press

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Thursday October 18 11:11 PM ET
Three Missing After Alaskan Helicopter Crash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Two people were rescued and three were missing on Thursday after a commercial helicopter crashed in the channel off Anchorage's coastline, officials said.

The Bell 206 long-range helicopter, owned and operated by Anchorage-based Era Aviation Inc., went down in Cook Inlet during a flight to Anchorage from Fire Island, a company official said.

The helicopter had been ferrying Federal Aviation Administration (news - web sites) employees who were doing maintenance work on air-navigation aids at Fire Island, said Marcia Davis, Era Aviation's vice president for human resources and legal affairs.

Two National Guard helicopters, another Era helicopter and an Anchorage Fire Department boat were used to search for the crash site and the victims, she said.

Neither of the two people rescued was the helicopter's pilot, Davis said. They were flown to an Anchorage hospital, she said, but she did not know their conditions.

``I understand they were alert when picked up,'' she said.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which lies just across from uninhabited Fire Island, was closed briefly to incoming flights while searchers tried to find the crash site, Davis said. This was to ensure that incoming planes did not interfere with search efforts, she said.

Weather at the time of the crash was snowy, but became ''severe'' by evening, Davis said.

The search, which has been led by the Anchorage Fire Department, will resume on Friday, Davis said.

Era Aviation owns about 100 helicopters and 19 fixed-wing aircraft, Davis said. It has operations in Reno, Nevada, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, as well as Anchorage, she said.

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Thursday October 18 11:12 PM ET
Helicopter Crashes Near Alaska Airport
By MAUREEN CLARK, Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A helicopter carrying FAA (news - web sites) employees went down in chilly waters near Anchorage during a snow storm late Thursday. Three people were missing.

An Alaska Air National Guard helicopter pulled two people from Cook Inlet about three miles from the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Heavy snow and poor visibility forced two other helicopters to return to base after searching unsuccessfully for an hour. Water temperatures were in the 40s.

``They stayed out there as long as they could, but conditions were getting pretty nasty,'' said Maj. Mike Haller, spokesman for the guard.

The Anchorage Fire Department also suspended a boat search because of the conditions, department spokeswoman Cleo Hill said. It would resume Friday morning, weather permitting.

The helicopter was returning from Fire Island, about five miles west of the airport, when the crash occured, said Marcia Davis, spokeswoman for operator Era Aviation.

The four employees of the Federal Aviation Administration had been conducting maintenance on FAA navigation aids on the uninhabited island, she said.

The pilot was among the missing, Davis said.

The two survivors were transported to Providence Alaska Medical Center where they were being treated for hypothermia, Hill said.

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Как помним, 10 апреля над гудзоном в воздухе развалился Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV с главой испанского филиала Сименс и его семьёй на борту.

На фотках тогда меня удивляло, что полностью отсутствует двигательный отсек. Как оказалось, действительно его оторвало целиком.
Вместе с потолочной штангой (12), к которой он крепился.


Вот, вытащенный из гудзона кусок, где она четко видна вместе с главным редуктором.


Это элемент силового набора фюзеляжа, который передним концом крепится к шпангоуту 10 и центральной колонне 11, а задним к шпангоутам 15 и 16.

Вот редукторный отсек в условиях ремонта (для сравнения)


Вот цельное фото. Видно, что несущий винт, редуктор и силовой элемент каркаса - остались одним целым.

В отличие от остального фюзеляжа.

FAA выпустило ACS (airworthiness concern sheet) о ряде сообщений владельцев Белл 206 насчет внезапной вертикальной вибрации. Одно из предположений - нехватка трения в системе, что провоцирует развитие автоколебаний.
AD (directive) пока не выпущено. И неясно, будет ли выпущено, если окажется, что делать ничего не надо и проблемы нет.