Hudson Crash

[CHAPPY]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mid_air_collision_crowded_airspace

So in this case who has the right of way, the plane or the copter?

[Dux]

The more maneuverable aircraft always yields to the lesser... so in this case the helicopter yields. A bit of a moot point when they don't see each other.

[Casca]

FAR 91.113, the controlling regulation, is silent with respect to airplane vs. rotorcraft.  The less manueverable categories are specified in the case of balloon, glider and airship as well as aircraft towing or refueling.  An airplane and rotorcraft would be expected to comport with the positional right-of-way rules.  These are:

(e) Approaching head-on. When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.

(f) Overtaking. Each aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way and each pilot of an overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right to pass well clear.

(g) Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.

[trigger2]

I don't see why the tour helicopter wasn't IFR. You'd think that when you've got people paying you to fly with you, you'd want flight following, especially in a crowded area like that... IMO, it's the helos blame as they didn't have flight following during a time it is perfectly LOGICAL (I know, since when is there such thing as logic. ) to have it.

My $.02, and my prayers are with the families that lost loved ones.

[Dux]

FARs notwithstanding, helicopter pilots are taught (at least I was) to yield to anything you are aware of. Nothing else is going to be able to stop where they are, wherever they are.

[Plazus]

Seems the Hudson river is cursed. First the passenger jet, now a helicopter! 

[Casca]

FARs notwithstanding, helicopter pilots are taught (at least I was) to yield to anything you are aware of. Nothing else is going to be able to stop where they are, wherever they are.

Just as I was taught in an airplane.  If you see something you get out of the way instead of boring on and counting on 91.113 to take care of it.

[Dux]

Casca, forgive me if I'm reading this wrong, but are you suggesting that is what happened? That one aircraft saw the other and expected them to get out of the way?

[Casca]

Casca, forgive me if I'm reading this wrong, but are you suggesting that is what happened? That one aircraft saw the other and expected them to get out of the way?

You are reading it wrong.  I never suggested that.

[Dux]

Roger that... sorry.

[CAP1]

I READ ABOUT this the other night.

 from what i read, the piper hit the helicopter from behind. the chopper pilot had no chance to even see the piper.
 there was an attempt to radio to him, by another pilot on the ground, but for whatever reason it went unheeded.

 the way i read your question, it almost seems as if you're fishing here.....and if i'm wrong, i apologize.......but people died in what appears to be a freak accident.
 
 most probably, the piper pilot failed to see the chopper.....dunno why though. i wasn't there.

 i know people that fly there. one of our club planes suffered an engine failure and went in there a couple of years ago.

[CHAPPY]

 the way i read your question, it almost seems as if you're fishing here.....and if i'm wrong, i apologize.......but people died in what appears to be a freak accident.
 

I am not fishing.
I was just wondering, in that situation who would be at fault by FAA regulations. I know there are a few pilots  that read the BBS that might be able to answer my question.

 
to the familys of those who perished.

[Dux]

It sounds like a very unique circumstance, one which I'm sure is going to be heavily reviewed soon. My only city helicopter experience is in Boston, and there, fixed-wing and rotary-wing traffic are kept very separate, not only by route but by altitude as well. If NYC was mixing all those different-speed aircraft into one area like that, then something was bound to happen sooner or later.

Very sad, very unfortunate.