Black Hawk down.

[gf0012-aust]

The footage speaks for itself, thats why it has been made public.

I'm not so sure anyone would want to draw judgement based on that footage.

As horrific as it is, it shows a helicopter at a tertiary stage of landing, so we don't know in absolute terms why it was approaching that fast, if the deck was rising, if the pilot was struggling to regain control etc etc....

IMV, we're best served by waiting until all the info is in and a considered outcome can be articulated.

The media generally wants "lead and bleed" - not the same sometimes as "truth in reporting"..... which can migrate to a rapid reinterpretation of "truth in sentencing" as they enthusiastically become jurors with foresight.

 

[Todjaeger]

Would someone be kind enough to download the clip and post onto You-tube?
I've tried accessing the SMH but for some reason, possibly systems compatibility issues... I'm not able to view the vid.

-Cheers

PS Never mind, found a different location to view it through.

 

[phreeky]

FYI on youtube it's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i3tbLuePb4&mode=related&search=

It's a terrible thing to watch, and terrible for the families of those who past away to see..........but I'm going to have to disagree with those who say this video shouldn't be released. The method by which it was released however is not so nice - a warning to each and every relative of those involved that it was soon to be released is the least they should have done.

As for the actual video, as somebody who knows SFA about helicopter landings (i.e. an average Joe Public), it looks to me like he came in for a bloody fast landing which he may have pulled off on land, but the ships deck jumped up pretty damn quick at the worst possible moment.

TBH I'm a little amazed at the method of landing in general - when I've seen them land on ships (including that particular ship) I've always seen them approach calmy from the rear - is a fast paced landing from the side like that considered "normal"? And by normal, I mean if a rapid landing is required for the purpose of such an exercise.

 

[Simon9]

I think the most amazing thing about this is that out of the ten on board, nine got out, including the mortally wounded pilot, and the last one reportedly from 30-40m down. Very strong endorsement of HUET training.

Interesting point made at the end of this youtube video:

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/e....com/watch?v=6i3tbLuePb4&mode=related&search=

"The inquiry heard that in flight simulations, no pilots have successfully landed the helicopter in the same conditions."

Sounds like in those winds, it couldn't have been done.

 

[Tasman]

I think the most amazing thing about this is that out of the ten on board, nine got out, including the mortally wounded pilot, and the last one reportedly from 30-40m down. Very strong endorsement of HUET training.

Interesting point made at the end of this youtube video:

http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/e....com/watch?v=6i3tbLuePb4&mode=related&search=

"The inquiry heard that in flight simulations, no pilots have successfully landed the helicopter in the same conditions."

Sounds like in those winds, it couldn't have been done.

I think you have made some excellent points. Full marks to the soldiers on board for the professional way that they reacted to the crisis and put their training into practice and full marks for the quality of the training.

Cheers