Top of the World: photos from Nepal
What went through your mind at the time of the failure?
I don't mean that american cliche "I thought I was gonna die..." but, did you think about the maneuver you need to perform, or did you just do what you are trained to do - automatically?
I don't mean that american cliche "I thought I was gonna die..." but, did you think about the maneuver you need to perform, or did you just do what you are trained to do - automatically?
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VF - If you'd have been in the army/navy/air force you'd be looking at a well deserved "Green Endorsement" or even an AFC. Well done indeed.
Just a quick question for you. At what sort of density altitude/elevation did this happen? I shudder to think what effect a really high DA would have in an auto......I guess what might have been a brick, just becomes an even heavier brick.
Kudos and hats off.
MB
Just a quick question for you. At what sort of density altitude/elevation did this happen? I shudder to think what effect a really high DA would have in an auto......I guess what might have been a brick, just becomes an even heavier brick.
Kudos and hats off.
MB
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Just found this thread, looked trough all the pictures with some tears in my eyes... 1983/1984 I worked in Kathmandu and Namche Bazar, constructing a power plant (this was before my flying activities). During my time in Nepal I had the chance to visit a lot of places in this beautiful country and now I got the chance to see them again from the air with your pictures. Thanks a lot!
Just a question: Do you have somewhere a closer shot showing Namche with some more details?
Just a question: Do you have somewhere a closer shot showing Namche with some more details?
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1D1 reliability
VF well done on the save, however I must disagree the B2 1D1 I've flown for 6 years has had nil problems has been one of the best engine I've worked with so far, touch wood!.....I'm sorry for your loss and a job well done mate.
Last edited by belly tank; 16th Aug 2012 at 22:26.
Thread Starter
Top of the World
Thanking You all very kindly. 
Actually the first thing that went through my mind was - 'oh but this can't be happening to Me'????
Then instinct took over when I realized there was no where to land but the river, but then the rice field came into view around the next river bend & by the Grace of God's hand I pulled the lever up beyond my training, beyond airmanship, experience, common sense, beyond the RFM limits & just kept dragging Nr down till the sight picture told me I was gonna get there, vibration was quiet severe. Nr was 250rrpm, 20 below the lower red line
@ 90kts 
I never had time to think more, I just knew that I had to get us onto the the ground in one piece, that was my duty, that was my job & today; that is still my job. Surviving emergencies to protect our pax & machine is just another part of our job requirement.
We were on the ground 20seconds after the noise stopped 
Happy Landings; Always
VF
Forced landing location was 6,673’amsl @ 28oC
Actually the first thing that went through my mind was - 'oh but this can't be happening to Me'????
Then instinct took over when I realized there was no where to land but the river, but then the rice field came into view around the next river bend & by the Grace of God's hand I pulled the lever up beyond my training, beyond airmanship, experience, common sense, beyond the RFM limits & just kept dragging Nr down till the sight picture told me I was gonna get there, vibration was quiet severe. Nr was 250rrpm, 20 below the lower red line
@ 90kts I never had time to think more, I just knew that I had to get us onto the the ground in one piece, that was my duty, that was my job & today; that is still my job. Surviving emergencies to protect our pax & machine is just another part of our job requirement.
We were on the ground 20seconds after the noise stopped Happy Landings; Always
VF
Forced landing location was 6,673’amsl @ 28oC
Last edited by Vertical Freedom; 16th Aug 2012 at 16:52.
Thread Starter
Top of the World
Namaste Belly Tank
Globally there have been approx. 100 module 3 bearing failures on the AS305B2. Here in Nepal there have been 5 so far, of which 2 were inflight. that is sickening & frightening 
There is an obvious problem with this bearing in the module 3 but Turbomecca are refusing to seriously address this issue. Is there are reall problem here with this engine??? 100 so far Globally - Yes......
OmOmOm
VF
Globally there have been approx. 100 module 3 bearing failures on the AS305B2. Here in Nepal there have been 5 so far, of which 2 were inflight.
that is sickening & frightening There is an obvious problem with this bearing in the module 3 but Turbomecca are refusing to seriously address this issue. Is there are reall problem here with this engine??? 100 so far Globally - Yes......
OmOmOm
VF
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Thread Starter
Top of the World
Hey Belly Tank
We have a power by the hour contract with Eurocopter Singapore so obviously they keep us all up to date. I checked they got that one.
Namaste Hellyduck
one operator here has done that swap. We too are considering as Turbomecca support
Happy Landings
VF
We have a power by the hour contract with Eurocopter Singapore so obviously they keep us all up to date. I checked they got that one.
Namaste Hellyduck
one operator here has done that swap. We too are considering as Turbomecca support
Happy Landings
VF
Last edited by Vertical Freedom; 18th Aug 2012 at 00:42.
I'm presuming you've seen the AD
Probably hard to get away from it anywhere in Aus or anywhere between the 2 tropics!
This AD has been around for a while and the latest one covers the determination that the issue may be worse than expected.
Determining how much cr@p the engine has eaten and vibe checks are the solution until TU 360 is incorporated.
The rear gas generator bearing is a sensitive area on the Arriel and needs to be looked after appropriately.
First point - don't operate the engine like an Allison 250!
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As a fixed wing driver I am suprised any of these machines can get off the ground due to the size of the bollocks of the pilots.
Cracking photo's keep them coming. And glad you got the burd on the ground and everyone safe.
Cracking photo's keep them coming. And glad you got the burd on the ground and everyone safe.