Tassie gyro crash ?????????? - Page 5

Mitch · 16-07-2007, 08:33 PM

""""Obviously there will be lots more 'inquiring' but I will share this with you because the student pilot's 'son in law' was said to have offered pictures to those at the funeral who, felt the need to look. These pictures were of the accident site. Further, this Gentleman alledgedly , publicly stated that the deceased student had told the instructor to ...'leave me, I'm stuffed' or words to that effect. And that Geoff had tried to get the student out of the burning wreck. The burns Geoff sustained appear to support this information. Emergency Service were first of the 'officials' to arrive, this may be the source of this information.""""

G'Day Gents,

Aparrently after making enquiries with Jenny and Jim, (Tim's wife and son inlaw) neither of them nor anyone else said or heard anything like the "leave me I'm stuff" phrase above. What Jim said at Tim's funeral, was what Gillian Hill (owner of the airfield) said as she was the first to get to Geoff.

Geoff was dressed only in his underware and he said " I couldn't save him. It just stopped" He went on to discuss other matters with Gillian Hill regarding his family and son and later in the ambulance, he said when asked what happened, that he did not wish to talk about it. Geoff unfortunately as far as we know did not speak again.

I will make further enquiries of other EMS person who attended but at this time this seems to be how it unfolded. Reason for saying this is that information Jim has was conveyed to him by Police. One would hope that they have conducted numerous interviews of all those who attended.

I have apoligised to Lyn and Jenny for the initial post which came to me second hand. Both women most graciously have told me it's OK and they are happy that I have posted. Jenny, Jim, Lyn and I agree, that Geoff's burns are not simply consitent with him getting out and leaving the aircraft. The burn pattern to his body indicate he leant into a burning wreck, and you only do that sort of thing for one reason....to get someone else out.........Geoff's own words...."I couldn't save him,........... ",

These two families in their grief are struggling with their lossess. However, they are strong and resolute in the fact that both men were men of passion doing what they loved.

Mitch.

gyrobob · 27-07-2007, 11:59 PM

Condolenses.sad to here

Mitch · 13-09-2007, 12:43 AM

Gents,

I went out to Cranbourne today to discuss housing my gyro in the main hangar. Had a look at the strip and the stepped out the witness marks on the ground from the latest double fatality. 37-38 mtrs from start to finish. There is no way, they would have been landing in that area......I reckon they were flying S & L strip run, low over the strip at 50-60 knts when the engine stopped suddenly.
The gyro may well have drifted left of the centre line prior to the engine stopping.

Sudden loss of thrust would have seen the nose swing up and if there was an attempt to flare, by the student, this may have resulted in a very nose high attitude. Blade strike at rear and resultant pan caking as pilots attempted to keep it straight and level. Dropped in hard and one mains wheel collapsed and the craft was said to be in the upright position at rest.

I would like to point out that CASA do not send investigators to Tasmania, they rely on the state Police to investigate. This is a totally unacceptable situation in my opinion. Especially when State Police investigating have next to nil experienece in this area. Add to this, unflattering comments made about the ASRA investigator by Police and what we have is a total disgrace.

I was advised today that the wreck is buried in a hole in the ground at Cranbourne airfield at the direction of State Police. What is going on?

It seems the ASRA investigator was not given a reasonable hearing by the Police and that the Coroner may be......well we shall wait and see.

First up, we need to know that these accidents get investigated by the best trained personnel and that means a CASA accident investigator trained in this field, in 'tune' with an ASRA Investigator, who understands the mechanics of rotorcraft crashes and tell tale witness marks......... NOT LOCAL POLICE.

Not happy!

Mitch.

Brian · 13-09-2007, 12:56 PM

You arent happy and I'm not happy either Mitch.

With all due respects to the police concerned [and they do do a great job of working out vehicle crashes] police have absolutely very little idea of gyro operations and procedures and the fact that the police have the power they do, in the event of a gyro crash.

Yeah, the coroner is going to most likely, go on the findings of the police by what you say there Mitch so things could well get interesting.When is the coronial inquest ? and do you know why the problems between the ASRA investigator and police?

Mitch · 13-09-2007, 03:52 PM

G'Day Brian,

Will be talking to the ASRA investigator this afternoon and to the New Opps Mgr this evening. I'll ascertain what I can and can not post but I believe the Police have decided one thing and that is not necessarily right, the Coroner is likely to follow suit.

I really thought that seeing as Tim was 'one of their own' (retired coronial inquiry copper) that this would have been played out differently.

I've got to fly off that airfield now knowing that Tim's green RAF2000 is buried next to the strip, that gyro took Tim and Geoff's lives and I am appalled it was dealt with in this fashion.

I'll get back to you Brian.

Mitch.

Brian · 13-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Its not going to be easy flying off the airfield knowing the gyro is buried there, but you know that Tim and Geoff would want you flying so, concentrate on the basics of flying, a few circuits of normal flying, enjoy the air and the flying, go for a fly around once you feel comfortable.

bones · 13-09-2007, 06:47 PM

Mitch,
CASA never sent an inspector out the a R22 crash 100 km south of here a few months ago, that left the pilot very serious injuries, lucky to be alive, i think they are just too under staffed, so the chances of getting them to inspect a gyro crash is probably pushing the luck a bit i feel.

niquenaque · 14-09-2007, 07:39 AM

Mitch,

you posted:

" Will be talking to the ASRA investigator this afternoon and to the New Opps Mgr this evening. I'll ascertain what I can and can not post but I believe the Police have decided one thing and that is not necessarily right, the Coroner is likely to follow suit."

You can have an input to this process with the police by writing to the minister of police in Tasmania, and the commissioner of police. If you feel there is a problem, tell them, it is that easy. Most usually you can google them up on the web and send them an email first followed up by a letter. If you want to go further you can petition the parliament with a petition form that will be available on the Tas parliament web site.

Hope this helps,

cheers,

Nick.

Mitch · 14-09-2007, 11:35 AM

G'Day Fellas,

Talked to the ASRA Investigator, among other senior ASRA personnel that have been involved with this investigation and the result was that the ASRA Investigator was well recieved by Forensic Police, though the Uniformed General Duites Senior Officer and ASRA Investigator differed on their take of the situation.

I understand the Coroner's report may be released today.

The owner of the airfield was directed by Police to remove the wreck craft and due to it's complete destruction had decided to bury it rather that store it in a hanger.

Perhaps we will have a finding today.

Mitch.