Helicopter exercise turned scary: report

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Edmont...pf-524660.html

{EXCERPT} By PAUL COWAN, EDMONTON SUN

A simulated emergency landing turned into a real crisis for an
Edmonton-based military helicopter on a training exercise at 4 Wing
Cold Lake. A recently published Department of National Defence report
on the November 6, 2003, incident said the pilot mistook frozen muskeg
for a firm landing field.

"A few seconds later the aircraft settled approximately 12 inches
(down) with a five-degree left roll," notes the report.

"The (co-pilot) immediately increased power to prevent further
settling and the (pilot) took the controls.

"Not realizing that the aircraft had moved forward slightly and that
the left skid was caught under the ice surface, the (pilot) increased
the power further."

The helicopter finally managed to break free and go into a hover
before flying to an...

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