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How not to tie down an aircraft

Posted: 20 Oct 2017 17:39
by RussF172
Just heard a report off someone of an incident at sea which has just happened. HMAS WARRAMUNGA sailed to relieve HMAS DARWIN in the Gulf last week. Heading across the Great Australian Bite she had hit some rough weather. During the course of her travels the brand new MH-60R ROMEO Seahawk Helo in the hanger has broken her tie downs and has been bouncing around in the hanger for two days like a ping pong ball (his words). They couldn't send anyone into the hanger to try and re-lash it down for fear of them being crushed by the aircraft moving around. They just had to leave it there until they get to port. They apparently now use material tie down straps instead of chains. These straps stretched under the strain which then came off the aircraft. We always used chains which apparently are not being used as much now. Ooops.

It now appears that the ship has suffered damage to her hanger that will need her to go into refit to repair and the new ROMEO looks to be a write off.

Someone is in trouble.

Re: How not to tie down an aircraft

Posted: 20 Oct 2017 21:01
by rritchie71
Well atleast they have not replaced anchor chain with tiedowns.....:)

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/5002044/navy-romeo-damaged-in-transportation-mishap/


Robert

Re: How not to tie down an aircraft

Posted: 21 Oct 2017 08:53
by MikeJames
Probably some genius in Canberra who hasn't been to sea in decades decided that the chances of chains damaging the aircraft was too high and mandated their replacement with straps.

Oops.