MH-60 Dipped in Lake Tahoe

Paslode · 09-24-2010, 17:38

I am betting someone is fortunate to be alive...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYExH8hpgXI

mojaveman · 09-24-2010, 17:47

That looked like a pretty touchy manuver. If the rotors would have hit the water wouldn't it have destroyed the aircraft?

JJ_BPK · 09-24-2010, 17:48

That looks like an "E" ticket ride..

But why??
Hovering at 10 ft to let troops out would be safer for everyone??
and a hole lot better for the aircraft..

PSM · 09-24-2010, 17:53

More than $50,000 and less than $500,000 damage.

Pat

JJ_BPK · 09-24-2010, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSM

More than $50,000 and less than $500,000 damage.

Pat

Thanks Pat,

I though the lead chopper was going into auto rotate and slapped down,
But it also looked like the 2nd did nearly the same after the 1st gained altitude..

Very Strange..

longrange1947 · 09-25-2010, 08:44

It looks like that point in a hover when you loose the ground effect and suddenly go into a spin and hit. He lucked out and was able to pull out of it but I will bet he needed new draws. I will bet that due to the close proximity of the water like maybe 1 foot, ground effect was able to pull him out.

I believe there is another UTube that shows a helicopter doing that over dry land and not being able to regain ground effect until it disintegrated.

Just my uneducated guess. But I will lay money on it not being planned!!

drymartini66 · 09-28-2010, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojaveman

That looks like a pretty touchy manuver. If the rotors hit the water won't it destroy the aircraft?

Yes, makes for a very bad day.

Black Knight · 09-29-2010, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojaveman

That looks like a pretty touchy manuver. If the rotors hit the water won't it destroy the aircraft?

With that particular aircraft, if the rotors hit it would be all over. The aircraft would immediately flip upside down and then sink to a depth of around 33 feet. It would stay at that depth for a short period then continue it's descent to Davy Jones Locker.

These guys were very lucky no one was injured. HSM-41 is a training squadron, and although I have heard neither pilot was a student; I'm guessing they weren't familiar with the power demands of hovering that aircraft at that altitude. The 60 is a great bird, but it doesn't like to hover at higher altitudes when it's heavy and it is also warm outside. The air just isn't that good. Take that into account and then add the winds coming off the mountains and coming across the lake.

The youtube flight might very well be their last.

BK

Richard · 09-29-2010, 21:34

(_?_)es!!!!

US Navy officials from the Pentagon told NBC News this was not a training mission, but that the two helicopter crews were allegedly attempting to take photos of each other’s helicopters hovering just above the waters of Lake Tahoe with the mountains as a majestic backdrop when their photo op went horribly wrong.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/loca...103734869.html

Richard

**Ambush Master** · 09-29-2010, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Knight

With that particular aircraft, if the rotors hit it would be all over. The aircraft would immediately flip upside down and then sink to a depth of around 33 feet. It would stay at that depth for a short period then continue it's descent to Davy Jones Locker.

These guys were very lucky no one was injured. HSM-41 is a training squadron, and although I have heard neither pilot was a student; I'm guessing they weren't familiar with the power demands of hovering that aircraft at that altitude. The 60 is a great bird, but it doesn't like to hover at higher altitudes when it's heavy and it is also warm outside. The air just isn't that good. Take that into account and then add the winds coming off the mountains and coming across the lake.

The youtube flight might very well be their last.

BK

HELL YES THEY WERE LUCKY, these folks had NO Clue where they were!! Navy OPERATES at Sea Level!!! I doubt that "Density Altitude" was/or is, even in their vernacular/mindset!! Not unlike our Brother Squeals, when they are beyond the sight of water, .......they have a problem!!

Not a Slam on EITHER, but a simple statement of HISTORY!!

Take care.
Martin

Utah Bob · 09-29-2010, 23:01

Hot dogging.

At least the water in the cabin allowed the crew chiefs to wash out their shorts.

drymartini66 · 09-29-2010, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

Hot dogging.

At least the water in the cabin allowed the crew chiefs to wash out their shorts.

The pilots I'm sure weren't so fortunate.

drymartini66 · 09-29-2010, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

HELL YES THEY WERE LUCKY, these folks had NO Clue where they were!! Navy OPERATES at Sea Level!!! I doubt that "Density Altitude" was/or is, even in their vernacular/mindset!! Not unlike our Brother Squeals, when they are beyond the sight of water, .......they have a problem!!

Not a Slam on EITHER, but a simple statement of HISTORY!!

Take care.
Martin

Lucky is right. I can't imagine the sh@t strom that has hit the squadron where these birds come from. More folks than just the crews involved are going to have the family jewels put between an anvil and a ball peen hammer.

lksteve · 09-30-2010, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

HELL YES THEY WERE LUCKY, these folks had NO Clue where they were!! Navy OPERATES at Sea Level!!! I doubt that "Density Altitude" was/or is, even in their vernacular/mindset!!

So you're saying pulling this stunt at 6230' MSL (NGVD 1929) is a bad idea? Kinda like having R. Lee Ermey as a therapist?

JJ_BPK · 09-30-2010, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

So you're saying pulling this stunt at 6230' MSL (NGVD 1929) is a bad idea?

If you read some of the talking heads,, They would lead you to believe this stunt was planned as part of a training exercise.

If this is "as planned"

Gonna be a hole-lot-a shiite to hit the fan..