Bad statistic – Three winching fatalities in eight weeks

Bad statistic – Three winching fatalities in eight weeks 16 Sep, 13, Source: HeliHub.com

From the very close attention HeliHub.com gives to safety data, we have noticed a recent spate of  accidents involving winching operations where the person being winched is the fatality.  Check out these three

 

12-Sep-13 Sikorsky UH-60 Springville, US-California (1F)

57-year-old volunteer Shane Krogen fell about 50 feet from a helicopter during a marijuana-eradication effort in Tulare County and died

 

31-Aug-13 VH-VAS Bell 412EP Mansfield, Australia (1F)

68-year old man, named as Robert Davis, fell 30m from a winch harness and died while being winched on board after injuring his ankle.  Press reports say he weighed between 120 – 140 kg, and this will be taken into account during the investigations.

 

22-Jul-13 N233JP Bell UH-1H Mount Clarleston, US-Nevada (1F)

According to a LVMPD press release, David Vanbuskirk “somehow became detached from the hoist line, falling into the canyon below.” The distance that the man fell is under investigation, but Sheriff Doug Gillespie later stated in a press conference that “it is clear that this was a non-survivable fall and he died on impact.” The victim was able to remain on the cable and was safely lifted onto the aircraft.

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