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Chopper chopped: Helicopter falls apart on landing (VIDEO)

Published time: February 24, 2012 11:47
Edited time: February 24, 2012 18:05
Helicopter crumbles into pieces after safe landing
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Earthquake? Hurricane? Alien attack? No, this helicopter was not beset by disaster: it just crumbled into pieces on its own after landing on a cozy grass-patch in Brazil.

­The people who managed to catch the spectacle on camera were no doubt as astonished as the four lucky guys inside the cabin. Fortunately enough, the occupants sustained only slight injuries.

After landing the chopper began to shake and spin, and then split in half, leaving the investigators totally puzzled as to the causes.

Officials believe the helicopter experienced what is known as ground resonance, a condition that can occur when the aircraft's rotor is operating while the helicopter is on the ground.

The incident occurred in Brazil’s northern state of Para on Wednesday. The province is now world-renowned for choppers that disintegrate into pieces under extraordinary circumstances.

Comments (6)

Bernie (unregistered) 23.04.2012 12:40

Definitely a Squirrel, and yes I agree with General Lee - looks like a dose of ground resonance to me. Not usually encoun tered with machine that has skids - more often on a wheeled machine. For those who aren't up on these things GR can occur when the weight of the machine is split between the blades and the landing gear, and an irretrievable o scillation occurs. The pilot probably did not have the collective lever all the way down. 

+1

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General Lee 25.02.2012 04:22

Saw the video on television news...Looks to me like a sloppy pilot set it down the wrong way and hit "ground resonance" (look it up)...

0

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Jim (unregistered) 25.02.2012 03:29

Wow 'Kermit Frazier'.  Nice to see you don't let facts get in the way of a good story, I especially love your knowledge of aircraft.. Fact: This is NOT a "Huey" Bell Iroquois. Fact:&nbs p;This IS a Squirrel (Eurocopter ES350). Even if it was a Iroquois, they are some of the most reliable choppers still flying around today, and squirrels are a well built, popular chopper.  Yes, maybe there was maintenace issues, but it has nothing to do with the make and model..  well done on your witch hunt..

+7

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