Chopper Down

[Niftymedi911]

There is nothing wrong with the title.... We did lose one of our own helo's.

There is no report out yet by the FAA or the NTSB.

Edited August 23, 2009 by Niftymedi911

[Dustdevil]

There is nothing wrong with the title....

Not anymore, there isn't.

Pave-Exile, did you fly Air Force? I spent a good amount of time in 53's, including the Pave Low.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Dustdevil

[Pave-Exile]

Why, as a matter of fact....

Were you out at Moldyhole? I was at the 21st from 97-00. ( I only ask 'cause your Login makes me suspicious )

Punched out in 01, been wandering the earth since...

[Richard B the EMT]

Pave-Exile, I'm asking of your nome-de-computer (on line name): Is the "Pave" from what this ground gripper would know as a "Pave-Low" airframe, perhaps known to most as a "Blackhawk"? My "Rotorhead" associate (that's what he refers to himself as!) advise me there are several models, for several military agencies.

[Pave-Exile]

The mighty PAVE Low should never be confused with anything as small and wimpy as a BlackHawk

(the Hawk maxes out at around 21K Lbs, the -53 at 57K...)

The confusion is often in the "PAVE" part: it's actually a designator for the avionics system (PAVE Tac was a laser designator used on fighters in VN, for example) In this case, PAVE Low was the "package" of mods made to a H-53 helo to create the greatest helicopter ever!

For more in depth info:

http://www.thepavecave.com/pages/History/p...ow_history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MH-53_Pave_Low (though I contest their initial line that it was a "serch and rescue" helo, it was a SOF helo that did SAR in places no one else could...)

Great mission, huge amount of fun, best crews I ever had the honor to fly with.

v/r

Geoff

[FireMedic65]

So when are you giving me lessons?

[tniuqs]

Now thats one Heavy Lift Bird ... and Reasoner is incorrect one can auto rotate and "a modified concept of Gliding ... provided that the tranny is not the issue and lock up.

Hey maybe get a few of these birds bucketing long line in LA ... looks like they need some help there !

Biggest I have flown in is this one seeing as were are on whimpy chopper topics ...LOL.

Insert imaginary pic of MI 26 and me standing beside it ... apparently the help advisor says my file size too big for upload.

Oh well.

[VentMedic]

Update:

NTSB Identification: ERA09LA464

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20090817X80103&key=1

Details of medical copter crash shows autopilot confusion

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/aug/26/details-medical-copter-crash-shows-autopilot-confu/

Expert: Night vision goggles may have prevented MEDSTAR crash

http://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=11003640

[FireMedic65]

Now thats one Heavy Lift Bird ... and Reasoner is incorrect one can auto rotate and "a modified concept of Gliding ... provided that the tranny is not the issue and lock up.

Hey maybe get a few of these birds bucketing long line in LA ... looks like they need some help there !

Biggest I have flown in is this one seeing as were are on whimpy chopper topics ...LOL.

Insert imaginary pic of MI 26 and me standing beside it ... apparently the help advisor says my file size too big for upload.

Oh well.

flickr or photobucket, insert link

[Richard B the EMT]

My apology for the total error on the helo ID.