THE PILOT of a helicopter that got into difficulty in Enniskillen this summer managed to avert a disaster by steering the chopper away from flammable fuel tanks, an air crash report has revealed.
The 60-year-old commander of the five-seater Europcopter EC120 was attempting to fly from St Angelo Airport to Frosses in south Donegal on June 25th this year when things began to go wrong. According to the report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, when the chopper had just had its fuel tanks filled and was lifting off when it began to lurch, to the side, causing it to crash on its side spreading debris across the runway.
The report said the pilot, who miraculously walked away from the crash, took evasive manoeuvres to avoid crashing into the airport’s fuel storage tanks.
“After yawing (lurching) through 360 degrees, the helicopter lost height with the left skid contacting the apron [airport ramp],” the report states. “The helicopter rolled about the left skid and the main rotor contacted the ground and debris was scattered over a wide area. The helicopter continued to yaw through another 90 degrees about the tail before rolling onto its right side.
“The pilot shut off the fuel before applying the rotor brake and was able to leave the helicopter unassisted through the left door.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere