Chopper crashes on Auckland waterfront

Locutus

Locutus

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Jun 18, 2007
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Wild bit of video of this lucky guy.


LATEST: The pilot of a helicopter which crashed in central Auckland while installing the Telecom Christmas tree has miraculously escaped without serious injuries.

The crash, which occurred at 10.30am at the Viaduct harbour on the city's waterfront, was to be investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Pilot Greg Gribble, of Auckland firm Helisika Helicopters, assured his son he was OK on the way to hospital.

His son Jaz, a pilot himself, had only just landed from another job when he found out about the accident.

"I spoke to him not long after and it sounded like he was okay. But he was obviously quite shaken as you can imagine."

He said he was "very relieved" to talk to his father, who has been piloting since the early 1990s.
"I don't think it's quite hit home yet. I've only just landed but my phone's been going crazy. I just want to find out and make sure everyone's okay - that's my main concern."

The helicopter appeared to be hovering just above the ground when the accident happened.



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Helicopter Crash On Auckland Viaduct Basin Christmas... | Stuff.co.nz
 
CDNBear

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Ontario
SLM said:
Looked like an awfully tight space to be operating a helicopter in.
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I worked with an ex Army Helo pilot years ago, that was fired for flying in and out of the hanger.

His excuse was, they were too cheap to hire a ground crew, and pushing it in and out on his own, was too hard.

The guy could hover his bird 2" off the deck, flat, no wobble, compensate for weigh change instantly and otherwise operate it like it was an extension of his own body.

A little nutty though, he kept talking about training sheep to make tea, so he could get rid of his wife. Drove a brown Mazda pick up that he called the green hornet, and ate peanut butter and onion sandwiches.
 
SLM

SLM

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Mar 5, 2011
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CDNBear said:
I worked with an ex Army Helo pilot years ago, that was fired for flying in and out of the hanger.

His excuse was, they were too cheap to hire a ground crew, and pushing it in and out on his own, was too hard.

The guy could hover his bird 2" off the deck, flat, no wobble, compensate for weigh change instantly and otherwise operate it like it was an extension of his own body.
Click to expand...

No doubt there was enough room. It's just perceptions, eh.

A little nutty though, he kept talking about training sheep to make tea, so he could get rid of his wife. Drove a brown Mazda pick up that he called the green hornet, and ate peanut butter and onion sandwiches.
Click to expand...

A little nutty, lol. If the sheep make his tea and he gets rid of his wife, what does he do for....oh wait, nevermind, I don't want to know.;)

And I've heard of the peanut butter and onion sandwich thing before. Doesn't appeal to my taste buds, but each to their own.
 
CDNBear

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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SLM said:
No doubt there was enough room. It's just perceptions, eh.
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You bet. I've seen some pretty tricky flying in my days. From Army pilots putting helo's in places birds wouldn't go, to this bad boy...



Flying 40' seatainers with our gear, up Red Mountain in BC.

I hate plains, but love them whirly birds.

One word, "autorotation".

A little nutty, lol. If the sheep make his tea and he gets rid of his wife, what does he do for....oh wait, nevermind, I don't want to know.;)
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Ya, I got the gist of his commentary, and never asked for elaboration, lol.

Doesn't appeal to my taste buds, but each to their own.
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I agree, but helo cabins aren't huge, and although there's decent ventilation, the effects of his odd diet, was oft hard to bear.
 
SLM

SLM

The Velvet Hammer
Mar 5, 2011
29,151
5
36
London, Ontario
CDNBear said:
You bet. I've seen some pretty tricky flying in my days. From Army pilots putting helo's in places birds wouldn't go, to this bad boy...



Flying 40' seatainers with our gear, up Red Mountain in BC.

I hate plains, but love them whirly birds.

One word, "autorotation".
Click to expand...

Honestly, anything that takes me off of terra firma freaks me the hell out. I'm a happy on the ground kind of gal.

Ya, I got the gist of his commentary, and never asked for elaboration, lol.
Click to expand...

Sometimes Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a good idea. ;)

I agree, but helo cabins aren't huge, and although there's decent ventilation, the effects of his odd diet, was oft hard to bear.
Click to expand...

Not I get the gist of your complaint over his culinary habits.
 
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