Three Killed, One Injured In Bell 212 Helicopter Crash

[jayboy]

How the pros see it - http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/457663-huey-subsequent-blackhawk-crashes-thailand.html

Thanks for posting this, very interesting though the context is desperately sad.I was struck by one phrase - "funny thing aviation, doesn't respect national culture".

[random]

I wonder if these accidents can lead to a vote of no confidence in the head of the army and hasten his departure, to be replaced by someone more red

[webfact]

Army Chief: Third Chopper Crash Caused by Engine Malfunction

The army chief has come out to clarify that the third Bell 212 helicopter crash was due to an engine malfunction.

The chopper went down after having been dispatched for a recovery mission to retrieve the two helicopters that crashed last week.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that unlike the two previous helicopter crashes over the past week, the latest incident involving the Bell 212 helicopter is initially believed to have been caused by an engine malfunction, rather than poor visibility and bad weather.

The army chief confirmed that the military adheres to strict protocols in operating the aircraft, but said that the risk of an accident can be higher in lengthy missions involving multiple trips.

He defended the use of aircraft in the rescue missions for the Huey and Black Hawk helicopter crashes, saying aircrafts are necessary for operations in difficult geographical conditions.

Prayuth insisted that the army does not fly aircrafts if visibility is bad, but said the recent crashes happened when there was a sudden change in weather conditions.

He asked all sides to offer moral support to the victims' families and not rush to blame the army.

The Bell 212 helicopter is the most advanced model used by the army. It was purchased in 1992 and has undergone regular maintenance since.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

[NoBrainer]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Army Chief: Third Chopper Crash Caused by Engine Malfunction

The army chief has come out to clarify that the third Bell 212 helicopter crash was due to an engine malfunction.

The chopper went down after having been dispatched for a recovery mission to retrieve the two helicopters that crashed last week.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that unlike the two previous helicopter crashes over the past week, the latest incident involving the Bell 212 helicopter is initially believed to have been caused by an engine malfunction, rather than poor visibility and bad weather.

The army chief confirmed that the military adheres to strict protocols in operating the aircraft, but said that the risk of an accident can be higher in lengthy missions involving multiple trips.

He defended the use of aircraft in the rescue missions for the Huey and Black Hawk helicopter crashes, saying aircrafts are necessary for operations in difficult geographical conditions.

Prayuth insisted that the army does not fly aircrafts if visibility is bad, but said the recent crashes happened when there was a sudden change in weather conditions.

He asked all sides to offer moral support to the victims' families and not rush to blame the army.

The Bell 212 helicopter is the most advanced model used by the army. It was purchased in 1992 and has undergone regular maintenance since.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

[Dag]

They need to send another Helicopter to get the bodies out

Is it possible to send a drone next time????

Apparently they did.

[Dag]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Yes...its called forgetting to refuel.

[TAWP]

I wonder if these accidents can lead to a vote of no confidence in the head of the army and hasten his departure, to be replaced by someone more red

So it was a manufactured event, a series of 'collateral damage' events, to push a Thaksin-ally into power of the army...again?

[elcent]

what about the computer systems on board?

It is almost unbelieveable that thesecrashes by coincidence or major technical failures. The bad weather came in handy, but I think there's more to it. Helicopters are considered to be the savest air transportation.

Bad business in the field of copters maybe?

Edited July 25, 2011 by elcent

[webfact]

Army Grounds All Helicopters Pending Safety Checks

The Royal Thai Army has announced that it has temporarily grounded all of its helicopters pending a safety check. The move comes after three of its helicopters crashed, causing a total of 17 deaths, in the last 11 days.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-25

[random]

I wonder if these accidents can lead to a vote of no confidence in the head of the army and hasten his departure, to be replaced by someone more red

So it was a manufactured event, a series of 'collateral damage' events, to push a Thaksin-ally into power of the army...again?

The rumour doing the rounds amongst Thais is that they are not accidents, and to be fair 3 crashes within days of each other could be more than coincidence, don't you think?

However my comments do not mention it being manufactured, I simply ask if it could lead to a vote of no confidence in the had of the army, lets be honest here there are catastrophic failings leading to 17 deaths, and someone should be accountable. Also it should be common sense that the new government would want rid of the current head and replace him with someone less controversial, lets not forget this man led the outrages last year and should be punished as such, but real investigations into him can not happen while he is head of the army.

In summary, chill out and read what i write rather than what you wished I had written.

[Pond Life]

Elcent, the Bell 212 has very little in the way of computers on board, depending on what extra kit is fitted.

Double engine failure, very rare, usually comes down to a fuel problem as its the only thing in common between the 2 engines.

Possible they ran out of fuel,

or at the last refuel they got a lot of water along with the fuel.

or the fuel was contaminated & blocked the filters.

Doesnt explain why they couldnt carry out an autorotation tho.

[Thai at Heart]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Yes...its called forgetting to refuel.

Contaminated fuel. Of course how it became contaminated will need someone to do some checking and someone to take the blame, so don't expect anyone to talk about it as a possibility.

[Gers1873]

'Army says Black Hawk helicopter did not explode and there were no bullet holes in the wreckage'

I wonder why the Army spokesman would emphasise no bullet holes in the wreckage? Seems odd.

Three helicopters down in nine days is a bit strange in a country where helicopter pilots have a relatively good safety record.

Difficult to envisage mechanical problems in three different 'species' of 'bird'.

Shuold further rescue and recovery infiltrations be required I'd be relying on SUV's or elephants. Difficult for them to 'lose balance, burst into flames and fall into a rice field'.:jap:

Edited July 27, 2011 by metisdead
Bold font removed.

[Dag]

Investigating illegal loggers on the Burmese border.......Burmese rebels on Burmese borders with cheap rocket launchers for sale.....illegal loggers acquire such items and make use of them.

[ginjag]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Yes...its called forgetting to refuel.

Burmese ground fire ?????? why are they nearly always looking for near border confrontations?? just causes agro all the time, or is it a coincidence??

[ginjag]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Yes...its called forgetting to refuel.

Burmese ground fire ?????? why are they nearly always looking for near border confrontations?? just causes agro all the time, or is it a coincidence??

[Colin Yai]

Two Engines malfunctioned at the Same Time?

Yes...its called forgetting to refuel.

Burmese ground fire ?????? why are they nearly always looking for near border confrontations?? just causes agro all the time, or is it a coincidence??

The safe bet is to blame anyone but the Thai's, maybe a combination of Ill trained helicopter pilots and preventive maintenance of anything mechanical which is not in the Thai dictionary,only guessing, and of course could well be wrong.