Helicopter crash on Auckland waterfront.

[G-CPTN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15848886

[robertdavey6]

Probably the foreshortening effect, but that did look to be a very confined space, in which to even attempt to land a helicopter.

[hilifta]

It wasn't landing, it was erecting a large steel tower, around which a Xmas tree is to be built. It's not a tight confined area at all, it appears the chopper hooked a cable. But its pilot was VERY lucky, A; that it did not hit anybody, and B; that it did no go into the sea.
The pilot needs to buy a Lotto ticket, and probably change his underwear.

[G-CPTN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15868647

[robertdavey6]

That can be the problem with these news-reel clips. NO context. I just assumed landing, from what I saw, as he appeared to be descending.

[G-CPTN]

It certainly looked 'tight'.

I wonder who owned the helicopter?

[G-CPTN]

In 1996 as part owner/Pilot of Helisika Ltd Greg Gribble sold his share in the Taupo based business and concentrated on Helisika Agricultural LTD

http://www.helisikahelicopters.co.nz/profile.html

So I guess it was his own company's machine. At least he's alive to buy a new one!

He told the New Zealand Herald that it was one of the simplest jobs that his company had done until the accident occurred.

More at:- http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpps/news/int...-2011_16100814

And one of the hardest things to take was the loss of his beloved old copter.
He said it was gut-wrenching to see his machine, insured for $1.8 million, lying in pieces.
''I've had that helicopter for about eight years and I have a brand new one sitting right there, I would fly that one that is in a million bits over there all day long. That was my helicopter even though I owned both of them.

More at:- http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/loca...will-fly-again

[G-CPTN]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/loca...-wants-answers