ResQLink+ Aids GyroCopter Recovery in New Zealand

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ResQLink+ Aids GyroCopter Recovery in New Zealand

ResQLink+ Aids GyroCopter Recovery in New Zealand
Lives saved

2

Flying

Flying

Mountain

Mountain

Crash or collision

Crash or collision

Weather

Weather

Wind

Wind

Flying

ResQLink+ Aids GyroCopter Recovery in New Zealand

-44.0889954°S, 170.6532063°E

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Lionel Green

What happened?

On 4 November, I left Pukaki Airfield McKenzie Basin in South Canterbury with one passenger in my gyrocopter. Our destination was Forest Field Aerodrome in North Canterbury, a trip of around 110nm. We had completed our pre flight planning and there was nothing to warrant concern with a light-moderate easterly wind. The trip involved passage through the pass to the east coast. I was very familiar with the area and terrain and expected we might experience a few bumps as the wind funnelled in the pass and we planned to travel through at 3500 amsl, around 1500-2000ft agl.

Crashed GryoCopter

As we entered into the mountain pass we were experiencing more headwind than we expected, but pressed on, continuing to monitor the conditions. When we arrived into the valley near Dog Kennel, west of Burke’s Pass, we encountered violent turbulence and a strong downdraught and were struggling to maintain speed and altitude so made the decision to return to Pukaki.

Inside GryoCopter

We estimate the winds were around 50knots and turbulent with the effect off the mountains causing massive downdraught, later we were to find these conditions were isolated to this area only. I was unable to maintain lift and sufficient directional control, our airspeed was reducing and despite using full power we were falling behind the power curve .

Local Medical Rescue Arrived on Scene

I was able to maintain enough control to avoid ground obstacles including the hill, trees and powerlines, shut everything down, briefed my passenger and effected a forced and heavy landing into a paddock where the machine hit a banked area and rolled.

Damage Control at the Scene

I was able to free myself and then my passenger who was trapped in the aircraft. Once I had assessed my passenger and were assured there was no further danger I activated my ACR ResQLink+ PLB , my partner had also seen what was happening on our flight tracker and also alerted the emergency services. Very quickly the rescue coordination centre was in contact with us and were able to dispatch rescue services police, fire and ambulance  to our location as they had the beacon activation bearing . We also had an off duty fireman who had heard the call and a passing midwife assist at the scene . We were lucky to have only minor injuries and were transported to Tinaru hospital for treatment .

Underside of the GyroCopter

I am thankful that the ACR ResQLink+ beacon assisted the rescue services to efficiently direct the required help we needed to the accident site

Words of wisdom

By activating our ACR ResQLink+ after our accident notified the rescue services immediately to our situation and location allowing them to quickly coordinate our rescue   . Having the beacon registration with the rescue coordination centre allowed them to identity us immediately and notify our nominated distress contacts.

Thank you note

Thank you to the ACR team. The ACR ResQLink+ performed perfectly. When we were looking for a quality beacon the ACR seemed to satisfy all our requirements and certainly didn’t disappoint. We all hope that we will not need to use our beacon, but it is reassuring knowing that if we do that we have a unit that we can rely on to do its job, there is no substitute for quality    

Rescue location

Burkes Pass, New Zealand

Rescue team

Good Samaritan

ResQLink™+

Go to product details

This Product has been Upgraded. Click Here for Available Upgrade. It may be small, but it's tough. The ResQLink™+ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a buoyant, GPS-enabled rescue beacon that's suited for outdoor adventures of all sizes (think: everything from hiking and cycling to hunting and fishing). Should you run into an unexpected survival situation, the ResQLink+ PLB will relay your location to a network of search and rescue satellites, allowing local first responders to more easily get you home safe and sound. Be Prepared for the Unpredictable!  
  • Buoyant
  • LED strobe light
  • Self Test
  • 66 Channel GPS
  • Easy emergency activation
  • Antenna clip

WARNING: PROP 65

Out of stock

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