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CH12401
Sea King
27
February 2003
540 NM ESE of Halifax, NS
The aircraft was deployed on HMCS IROQUOIS. The crew
was preparing to launch for Destroyer Deck Landing training
and door gun practice. During the launch sequence the
aircraft lost lift and fell heavily onto the deck; the
right sponson collapsed and the helicopter rolled over.
All four crew members egressed the helicopter under
their own power. Two crew members sustained minor injuries
and one ship's member had his hand broken by rotor blade
shrapnel that penetrated the hangar door. The initial
assessment of aircraft damage is 'A' Category.
The ship was conducting a Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS)
during the aircraft's traverse from the hangar, blade
spread and engine run-up. During the RAS, several witnesses
stated that a wave broke over the front of the helicopter
fuselage. Prior to commencing the launch sequence, HMCS
IROQUOIS completed the RAS evolution and broke away
from HMCS PRESERVER. Clearance was received to launch
the helicopter. The pilot pulled into a 20-foot hover
over the flight deck to confirm aircraft performance
prior to departing to the port side. Within seconds
the aircraft descended rapidly to the deck, landing
first on the tail wheel and then the right main landing
gear. As the right sponson collapsed, the helicopter
continued to roll over onto its right side. The main
rotor blades sheared off as they contacted the flight
deck and parts of the blades were driven through the
hangar doors where members of the ship fire fighting
team and HELAIRDET were monitoring the launch. The tail
boom was severed at the pylon hinge and the tail rotor
assembly came to rest on top of the Nulka rocket launcher
located on the quarterdeck (aft and below the flight
deck).
The ship came to Emergency Flying Stations and damage
control measures were initiated. The flight deck and
quarterdeck were secured and the wreckage was chained
in position for the transit to Halifax. DFS Investigators
met the ship in Halifax and coordinated the removal
of the aircraft. The investigation is focused on the
sudden loss of lift. The aircraft's power train was
removed and sent for engineering evaluation.
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