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14/10/2008
Report Finds Felled Chopper Hit Lamppost
A preliminary report into the cause of the Co Meath helicopter crash last month has found the helicopter had hit a lamppost during an attempt to land.
The a Sikorsky helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the car park of a secondary school in Bettystown, Co Meath in September just after pupils had left for the day.
Three people, including the pilot, were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth with minor injuries following the crash, and caused damage to surrounding properties and cars.
Coláiste na hInse secondary school had broken up for the day about an hour before the crash took place.
The investigation, which was carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), reported that no technical problems were found with the American registered S76 helicopter. It is believed the pilot had decided to move the aircraft to the empty carpark after a crowd had gathered around the vehicle on a nearby beach, were his two passengers alighted.
As the helicopter descended into the car park, the left-hand rear side of the main rotor disk struck a six metre high lamppost, causing it to spin. It's main rotor disintegrated on coming into contact with the ground while the tail rotor hit a low wall. The helicopter immediately burst into flames and the pilot managed to escape unaided.
(DW)
The a Sikorsky helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the car park of a secondary school in Bettystown, Co Meath in September just after pupils had left for the day.
Three people, including the pilot, were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth with minor injuries following the crash, and caused damage to surrounding properties and cars.
Coláiste na hInse secondary school had broken up for the day about an hour before the crash took place.
The investigation, which was carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), reported that no technical problems were found with the American registered S76 helicopter. It is believed the pilot had decided to move the aircraft to the empty carpark after a crowd had gathered around the vehicle on a nearby beach, were his two passengers alighted.
As the helicopter descended into the car park, the left-hand rear side of the main rotor disk struck a six metre high lamppost, causing it to spin. It's main rotor disintegrated on coming into contact with the ground while the tail rotor hit a low wall. The helicopter immediately burst into flames and the pilot managed to escape unaided.
(DW)
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