Skycrane drops AC unit

Groundpounder

Groundpounder

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Emerson Bigguns
Unknown if it was a failure of some sort, or an emergency release by the helicopter crew.

 
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Which is why they keep a safety clear zone underneath...
 
Looks like wind spooked them heli crew...

Definitely a release...
 
I think the header tanks lost pressure, and the two Raptor engines ran lean, causing a RUD.
 
As a begrudging graduate of the Army Air Assault School I can tell you that’s not how it’s supposed to work...
 
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Worked with a skycrane setting a 3500lb walkway for an ac unit. Had a wide open field and 2 buildings shaped like a V. They had us park in the parking lot rather than the field. Picked load off trailer when it got to the roof realized their were pipes in the way of bracing on the walkway. Crane took it back down. Rather than set it in the open field 100 yards away, he tries to set it on the trailer. Rotor wash got him and took out a couple light poles while he was at. 6 months later same outfit landed in a parking lot and rotors caught the parked semi trailer.

https://cbs4indy.com/2019/11/10/helicopter-crashes-in-boone-county/
 
That’s an H-34 Choctaw Or S-58 civilian not a Skycrane...but sure shows the perils of sling loads...

This Skycrane operation was legendary in the National Guard and along the way met most of those who participated...Showed the simple capabilities of a Skycrane vs A Chinook...and it all was about placing a replacement Goddess of Liberty on the Texas State Capital. It was a simple operation with the statue had to be placed on a six foot, six inch round pipe extensionthat had to fit into a a similar slot on the base with about a 1/2 inch tolerance...multiple try’s over multiple days with Texas NG pilots and there Chinooks...after much deliberation and soul searching a call was made to Mississippi and their Sky crane unit. The Crane made the Stab and placed the statue of the first try In less than five min...The third rear facing Pilots seat was the difference. Cranes were made to do one thing and they are good at it. The cost to the Texas Guard was legendary in particular UH-1 parts and of course bar tabs for Mississippi Aviators.

An article referencing It...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kv...tory/269-30e39fdf-e72d-4738-8dd2-9323d9b67cf6
 
Warlock said:
That’s an H-34 Choctaw Or S-58 civilian not a Skycrane...but sure shows the perils of sling loads...

This Skycrane operation was legendary in the National Guard and along the way met most of those who participated...Showed the simple capabilities of a Skycrane vs A Chinook...and it all was about placing a replacement Goddess of Liberty on the Texas State Capital. It was a simple operation with the statue had to be placed on a six foot, six inch round pipe extensionthat had to fit into a a similar slot on the base with about a 1/2 inch tolerance...multiple try’s over multiple days with Texas NG pilots and there Chinooks...after much deliberation and soul searching a call was made to Mississippi and their Sky crane unit. The Crane made the Stab and placed the statue of the first try In less than five min...The third rear facing Pilots seat was the difference. Cranes were made to do one thing and they are good at it. The cost to the Texas Guard was legendary in particular UH-1 parts and of course bar tabs for Mississippi Aviators.

An article referencing It...
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kv...tory/269-30e39fdf-e72d-4738-8dd2-9323d9b67cf6
Click to expand...
Yeah, but that IS a Skycrane.

https://ericksoninc.com/
 
Considering how experienced of an operator Erickson is, I doubt this will end up being a simple case of someone hitting the wrong button.
 
hard to tell but it looks like the helicopter pilot just froze........
 
Anyone willing to guess how much that HVAC unit weighed?
 
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