Helicopter sling load

[Old Farang]

How to lift an air con, NOT:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7goj1o0UajU&feature=emb_logo

[JDNSW]

Reminds me of a similar incident with an ordinary size refrigerator when I was in PNG! (Fifty years ago)

[donh54]

Ex RAAF type told me once that the emergency dump switch is real touchy, and dropped loads are much more common than most people think.

[Old Farang]

For anyone interested here is a video of the operation from the start.

Nobody has come up with a reason for the drop, whether it was intentional or not. I have made a comment on another forum where I stated that the strop or slings, are WAY too short. A respected poster has come back and stated that because of local regulations and city ordnances, they are restricted to a certain radius with the load. It appears that they were lifting from a street intersection, but puting a big helicopter like that down amongst high rise buildings is a bit "iffy" to say the least! A longer strop gets the helicopter clear of crap like that.

A longer strop also gives both better control of the helicopter, plus makes it a lot easier for the ground crew to "spot" the load, especially big heavy loads such as that being attempted.

I am endorsed for sling loads and it is probably the most dangerous thing that you can attempt, even more so than mustering! It gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

There are usually two emergency release options. One should be on the cyclic stick so it is not necessary to move you hand from the controls to operate it, and it is electrically operated. A second back up could be a foot pedal mechanical device or similar. Never flown them, but I believe that the Skycrane also has an explosive release as a back up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ-tFykYqcQ&feature=emb_logo

[Tins]

Everyone kitted up in PPE, none of which would have saved them......