Comparing the Louisiana helicopter crash of January 4th to the crash in the marshy Bayou Penchant area a little over a week ago, Canada’s Newcap Radio, reported on the similarities of the two accidents claimed to be caused by bird strikes.
The only evidence of a bird strike in this case however, was a loud noise heard in the cockpit followed by the loss of torque to both engines.
While I agree with Sikorsky to switch wind screens on their helicopters to heavier glass which is stronger, I can’t imagine that a bird strike caused two engines to instantly fail.
In due time, NTSB investigators and private experts will determine the cause of these crashes. The bird strike defense will be quickly forgotten.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
