If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Blade de-lamination
Recently there was an accident with a very low time (3hr TT)RotorWay
helicopter being piloted by a high time RotorWay experienced instructor and the owner a commercial rated helo pilot. They were hovering at a 3' level with the owner at the controls when it snapped rolled to the left so hard that the rotor head hit the ground almost the first thing with a clod stuck in the rotor head. All the controls were intact, the owner got a cut in the head requiring stitches. On the way back they were discussing what possibly could have caused this. The owner opined an in flight blade de-lamination. This was supported by photos. The Owner is a Phd who has written text books about rotorcraft structures and aerolasticity. He further was a consultant to the company who manufactured the blade he was using. These blades, called "Waitman" when used on the RotorWay, have been around for some time and this is the first de-lamination that I have ever heard of. Bad resin???? For those of you who have access the Sept issue of Experimenal Helo magazine will have a first person article about the accident with photos. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Blade de-lamination
"Stu Fields" wrote in message
... Recently there was an accident with a very low time (3hr TT)RotorWay helicopter being piloted by a high time RotorWay experienced instructor and the owner a commercial rated helo pilot. They were hovering at a 3' level with the owner at the controls when it snapped rolled to the left so hard that the rotor head hit the ground almost the first thing with a clod stuck in the rotor head. All the controls were intact, the owner got a cut in the head requiring stitches. On the way back they were discussing what possibly could have caused this. The owner opined an in flight blade de-lamination. This was supported by photos. The Owner is a Phd who has written text books about rotorcraft structures and aerolasticity. He further was a consultant to the company who manufactured the blade he was using. These blades, called "Waitman" when used on the RotorWay, have been around for some time and this is the first de-lamination that I have ever heard of. Bad resin???? For those of you who have access the Sept issue of Experimenal Helo magazine will have a first person article about the accident with photos. Now that's nothing but scary. It's a good thing they were only 3' off the ground or this would have had an entirely different outcome. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
4 Blade Propeller Problem ? | Phil Jeffery | Soaring | 2 | February 10th 07 02:03 AM |
3-blade prop? | Jay Honeck | Owning | 19 | September 27th 06 09:29 AM |
Starship prop blade | John T | Piloting | 8 | July 18th 06 06:46 PM |
Starship prop blade | John T | Home Built | 8 | July 18th 06 06:46 PM |
Blade type VHF antenna? | JFLEISC | Home Built | 6 | December 13th 03 04:28 AM |