Chopper pilot had 20 years experience

2/12/2011 4:03:04 p.m.

Kev T in Canada wrote:

Well if he had 20 years experience he should have known better than to operate a helicopter that close to cables. Glad he's ok but hope he doesn't try a stunt like that. Just because your company wants you to do something doesn't mean it is always safe to do it. The pilot is always in charge of the helicopter and should have backed away from a job like that.

25/11/2011 9:30:47 p.m.

Unknown wrote:

Should have left the tree at western park were everyone enjoyed it then none of this would of happened.lucky the pilot is ok

24/11/2011 9:48:09 p.m.

Gray wrote:

"The pilots rep should be cleared ASAP!" Steve, to operate a helicopter in an environment where the rotors are just a few feet away from obstacles very obviously is extremely careless and thus unprofessional. I don't think the pilot will be cleared, with his 20 years of experience he really should have known better! As another commenter here mentioned, it probably was overconfidence which led to the accident.

24/11/2011 8:44:19 p.m.

K1w1 wrote:

Please name & intervew the ground cable man. Even the pilot referred to the rigger. Responisble or just following instructions? Either way he is lucky to be alive and rushed in to help the pilot. Full story please!

24/11/2011 12:09:14 p.m.

smudgey wrote:

Like my first comment said, yep there is a man underneath...he pulled on the cable which went tight and got caught in the top rotor blades....comon news people how hard is it to comment on that!!!!

24/11/2011 9:53:07 a.m.

Dylan wrote:

Accidents happen. It's not anyone's fault. No one should be blamed for something they didn't mean to do. What if the pilot died? What would your thoughts be then? @Chop56 has the right mind-set.

24/11/2011 8:48:16 a.m.

Jill wrote:

I agree with Steve, in one of the camera footages shown last night from a side angle you could clearly see the ground man jump up, grab the slackened cable which of course immediately tightened bringing it closer to the rotor blades, and then poof it was all over.I am sure that guy was thinking "Dang shouldn't have done that." as it all turned to puss. The media shouldn't be blaming a slackened cable, it was human error.

24/11/2011 7:26:40 a.m.

Another Pilot wrote:

I have seen him do better landings.

24/11/2011 2:46:58 a.m.

Gray wrote:

Quite obviously, the place was totally unsuitable for a heli flying that low. That was an accident waiting to happen. What were those involved, including the pilot, thinking? Irresponsible.

24/11/2011 12:23:45 a.m.

Ant wrote:

Yes it was the lift cable from the top of the truss to the helicopter. It should never have happened. The helicopter was far too close to all of the rigging. A different rigging system should have been used, the spotter for the helicopter should have been watching, and the 20 years of experience from the pilot meant he shouldn't have got himself in the situation. Not trying to critisize because accidents do happen, however I feel (as have done work with lifting and rigging) that they were pushing the distances between the cables and rotors too much. Perhaps if the tree was rigged back in Western Park like last year where a crane could be used and rigging space was greater than it would have been easier? But at least the highly dangerous mistake only cost money and not lives