Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Plane, copter collide over Hudson River, killing 9

World Aug. 09, 2009 - 06:30AM JST ( 10 )

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10 Comments

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GJDailleultAug. 09, 2009 - 10:33AM JST

What a horrible way to go. Was once almost in a mid-air collision when a passenger in a single engine 4-seater, and can still remember the sickening feeling when we realized another plane was heading right at us.
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smithinjapanAug. 09, 2009 - 12:00PM JST

Anyway, this is tragic, but not to be unexpected. I was glad to read one of the operators of the copter company tried to radio when he saw what was happening, and I'm curious to know why there was no response. I'm sure they'll get to the bottom on this one
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HawkeyeAug. 09, 2009 - 12:54PM JST

I was in New York last year around this time with my family and thought about taking the Liberty helicopter tour but was concerned about the amount of air traffic as well as the fact that it looked like the tour company tried very hard to get you into their helicopter and up in the air, make the tour, then out again so that they can load another group. Making money makes people sloppy with safety and I am sure that the NTSB will find that the helicopter pilot jumped the gun and did not check air traffic before lifting off and into the path of the small aircraft it hit.
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smithinjapanAug. 09, 2009 - 01:06PM JST

What I wanted to say earlier in my posts when I said this is 'not to be unexpected' is that with all the air-traffic involving small vehicles of course it is going to happen from time to time, particularly when they are independent operators giving joy-rides. I wouldn't be surprised if this leads to tighter controls on such tours, as it probably should.
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smithinjapanAug. 09, 2009 - 01:09PM JST

Hawkeye is bang on in his assessment of how many operators work. I would never fly a helicopter tour in areas like this, or in areas where they are hardly ever used (probably don't work as they may not be regularly maintained), because they DO really just want to maximize use to cover costs and make as much profit as they can.

I don't know that it was a case of the helicopter lifting into the path of the plane, but we'll see.
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smithinjapanAug. 09, 2009 - 01:30PM JST

Triumvere: Do you think, for example, that perhaps some of these joy-rides ought to be more tightly controlled? that operators should follow stricter guidelines. I do... and if those guidelines are already in place I think that the operators of these companies, once it comes down to who is at fault, need to face some serious punishments, including jail time. Won't lessen the tragedy, of course, but it may keep it from happening again in the same manner.
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TriumvereAug. 09, 2009 - 01:40PM JST

I don't have any experience with the helicopter or small-craft aviation industry, so I have no idea if there is a problem with lack of oversight, poor regulation, etc... It may, indeed, have been simply an accident; if you fly there is always a chance you will crash, but I do think an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is warrented, including buisness practices and aviation regulation.
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OssanAmericaAug. 09, 2009 - 11:41PM JST

It was an accident. But the Metropolitan NY area does have far too much air traffic over it. With the 3 main airports surrounding Manhattan plus the several small craft fields in the vicinity air traffic is excessive as it is. Add to that the increase in Law Enforcement flights since 911 and it's a real mess. Years ago I took guests from Japan on this helicopter tour guide and even then the air traffic you could see around you was pretty heavy. And it's true that they rush rush rush to get the tour done and the next batch of tourists onboard. One of things that amazes me is that whenever I am in Tokyo I see alot of helicopter traffic but seems like they have far less accidents than we do.
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smithinjapanAug. 10, 2009 - 01:17AM JST

Ossan: I'm happy to read your statement. I have no doubt things are better arranged in Tokyo, and it probably comes down to stricter control. Still seems to be a bit more than you would care to try and organize yourself, but hey.