Helicopter forced to make emergency landing

[xair899]

Request on local radio last night for any witnesses who saw a low flying helicopter in the Athlone area to contact Gardai. Unusual?

[kilo delta]

From what I have heard I think this could be a very interesting accident report.

Yep...the rumour mill is definitely at work here. I've heard a few things too...though I'll await the results of the investigation.

[Demonduck]

I heard that there is a house missing a chimney in that area so if your into the chimney repair business you could drop in a business card.

P.S. I also heard that Elvis is alive and well.

[bolkow]

A BUSINESSMAN is recovering today after being forced to make a terrifying helicopter crash-landing in a field not long after take-off.

A small, two-seater Robinson 44 aircraft piloted by businessman Michael Mannion crash-landed five miles outside of Athlone at around 8pm on Sunday evening.

It is understood Mr Mannion, who is in his thirties and who runs a successful quarry business in Bealnamulla, Co Roscommon, had just taken off from the Ballinasloe Horse Fair when the aircraft got into difficulty.

The businessman, who runs R&M Quarries, was alone in the aircraft at the time of the accident.

The aircraft crashed ten miles away from the fair at Taughmaconnell. Miraculously he walked out of the wreckage shaken but unharmed. An experienced pilot, Mr Mannion has his own landing strip at the back of his home in Co Roscommon.

Chief air-accident investigator Jurgen Whyte told the Irish Independent the emergency services were first alerted to the incident when a beacon signal from the aircraft was picked up on Sunday evening.

Each helicopter has its own individual signal with an identifying serial number which usually goes off as a result of an impact.

This beacon is monitored by a satellite which then notifies the emergency services who can trace the aircraft to its owner. A full technical examination is under way at the Department of Transport's Air Accident Investigation Unit in Co Meath.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news ... 94682.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Another pic on this link.. http://photos.independent.ie/gallery/13 ... nf6u7wpdHY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=138930" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HHMM, I assume then he had the two back seats out? When did a R44 become a two seater?

[kilo delta]

HHMM, I assume then he had the two back seats out? When did a R44 become a two seater?

The joys of mainstream media reporting.

[tom in weston]

...

[hugoj_air]

From what I've heard this guy has covered his a*se, so probably no porridge!!.

Hugo.

[OnTheNumbers]

How long before the report comes out?

[kitty]

OMG! a very thirsty Jury in the wings on this one!

BTW, Did i see a Tail Rotor for sale on ebay?

[Fanstop]

I think wise ass remarks are way out of line here. there but for the grace of Allah go any of us.

[kitty]

I think wise ass remarks are way out of line here.

Sir,
They are no worse than your reference to anothers Religion! in fact, that is bad taste.

My post was a light humoured push at the online remarks from posters condemning the Pilot before a trial.

and.... there is a Tail Rotor for sale on ebay.

[hugoj_air]

Thats my point. There won't be any trial.
I also heard that it was a spare set of rear seats from the "R22" on ebay.
"There but for the Grace of God go any of us" says Fanstop. Well I can categorically-100% -emphatically say NO! NO! and NO! again.

Hugo.

[tom in weston]

...

[kitty]

considerng the alegations regarding what this man is supposed to have done prior to flying his helicopter, I for one do not throw caution to the wind when I am about to fly an aircraft and pray for the grace of God to help me on the way. I have spoken to a member of this mans family about the incident and by their accounts, he deserves alot more than a kick in the hole!

Now there is one of the silliest statements ever!
Should we hang him at dawn, and hold the trial Sunday week?

The media and the authorities scan this forum on a regular basis looking for juicy bits like that.
They are allegations and nothing more until due process!!!!

[tom in weston]

...