Thanks all for commenting. The idea behind this crash test was that it replicated a relatively severe but potentially survivable crash. That takes into account auto-rotation. As one of our engineers said we could have dropped the helicopter from the top of the gantry, but then all we would have had were pieces to pick up .. but not much useful data.
@vassdel Helicopter height was 35 feet. The flight path angle was about 33 degrees and the combined forward and vertical speeds were about 48 feet per second or 33 miles per hour. Have to doublecheck G forces and get back to you.
@thatonebeone We did a previous crash test that tested an energy absorbing system sort of like an airbag, but a honeycomb cushion You can find it on the NASALANGLEY channel.
I live across the river in Titusville. Have you also considered the hazard of rotor blade intrusion into the cockpit as this is also one of the most dangerous phenomenon from an uncontrolled touch down?
I fly a Robinson R-44 Raven I. The seats absorb energy as do the skids and I can tell you its a really nice helicopter to fly and with all the new safety systems, should do well in this crash test. How well I dont really know. I fly both Robbies and find them to have nice full down characteristics. No hard landigs should develop if auto's are done correctly or near correctly. Nice to see the NASA boys trying to improve the rotor community's safety. Thanks fella's.
For those of you saying this isn't a realistic crash. Vortex Ring states could crash like this or if there's engine failure and the pilot doesn't autorotate properly it would fall that way.
to add something to the system NASA are testing I feel that harnesses might be beneficial rather than the lap strap only plus it seems that the seats might benefit from a shock absorbing system as well as under the fuselage
It appeared the landing skid suspension was too soft. he seats did not start collapsing until the bottom of the heli hit the ground. The seats then collapsed quicker than they would have if the gear had been a bit stiffer. JMHO.
@thatonebeone I think the airbag in front thing (like a car) isn't going to help. The strike is from the bottom (not he front like a car). I figure if the seats could elevate before impact and then give a longer cushion it might reduce injury. Or the landing struts. That seems like a no brainer. Why not have them take up more of the impact. Perhaps have them another foot longer and have them bring the speed down smoothly rather than just snap.
@X0Pete if the tail rotor gets damaged then this will happen for sure but the forces on impact should still be the same so there is no need for nasa to test it while adding spin to it plus it would make recording the results 100 times harder
When was the last time you saw a helicopter crash like this?? Usually they have lost the rear rotor and are spinning like a frakking top in the air....at the same time they are dropping like a stone! Or, when they hit the ground, they fall sideways and the spinning rotors hit the ground throwing shit...and people....and people parts flying everywhere. Results of this test: all occupants, who once had 3' spinal columns, now have 12" spinal columns....OUCH!
it would have to be a gel system and it would need to be very thick and very deep (top to bottom). There needs to be enough absorption to prevent the spinal injuries that were the result of this crash test (or presumably so). The spine is very brittle on the downward force. So get a tube of Pringles and drop them from ceiling height and make sure they land in a straight line 0% or do 33% like in this video using a fishing line to ensure in-line characteristics. Now, tell me what the chips look like, Yep, that's your spine.
Helicopters are impossible to eject from. But what if so made it so before you eject straight up, you make the blades release. Of course this is for like war. You can't release blades into a city lol.
WOULD ATTACHING SHOCKS FROM BOTTOM OF COPTER TO LOWER SKID HELP? REBOUND COULD BE CONTROLLED BY LOCKING SHOCKS TO ONLY ACCEPT IMPACT , NOT RECOIL IT . IT WOULD SAVE BREAKING OF HINGED SKIDS . AND THE FULL BODY IMPACT . RESULT. GIANFRANCO FRONZI SEPTEMBER /2/2011
ill be honest with you all,, i think the crash will be way more dangerous because if theyre really flying they have the propellers to worry about swinging verry violent and it all depends on how high theyre in the air but good wreck thoo...
@X0Pete Yeah what if the helicopter was way higher and got hit and went down? I'm sure it'd flip over the Soldiers die in little helicopter crashes either way but it doesn't happen too much cause' it's a small target.
It took engineering degrees, an entire fuselage, and paid NASA employees to "predict" this? Thank god we pay the government to do all this valuable testing!
Spent 4 years at Langley AFB, 94FS and always loved checking out the NASA side.
Thanks all for commenting. The idea behind this crash test was that it replicated a relatively severe but potentially survivable crash. That takes into account auto-rotation. As one of our engineers said we could have dropped the helicopter from the top of the gantry, but then all we would have had were pieces to pick up .. but not much useful data.
Results are still being assessed, but the injuries to the dummies in this test were quite severe, possibly spine crushing or even fatal.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@vassdel Helicopter height was 35 feet. The flight path angle was about 33 degrees and the combined forward and vertical speeds were about 48 feet per second or 33 miles per hour. Have to doublecheck G forces and get back to you.
@thewaterfalloflove Good question. We have a call into one of our researchers and will hope to have an answer soon.
That's another reason we do tests like these ... to improve the computer models.
@thatonebeone We did a previous crash test that tested an energy absorbing system sort of like an airbag, but a honeycomb cushion You can find it on the NASALANGLEY channel.
@MrBJC1996 Choose the first helicopter drop test with the deployable energy absorber - a lot more survivable!
I live across the river in Titusville. Have you also considered the hazard of rotor blade intrusion into the cockpit as this is also one of the most dangerous phenomenon from an uncontrolled touch down?
I fly a Robinson R-44 Raven I. The seats absorb energy as do the skids and I can tell you its a really nice helicopter to fly and with all the new safety systems, should do well in this crash test. How well I dont really know. I fly both Robbies and find them to have nice full down characteristics. No hard landigs should develop if auto's are done correctly or near correctly. Nice to see the NASA boys trying to improve the rotor community's safety. Thanks fella's.
For those of you saying this isn't a realistic crash. Vortex Ring states could crash like this or if there's engine failure and the pilot doesn't autorotate properly it would fall that way.
to add something to the system NASA are testing I feel that harnesses might be beneficial rather than the lap strap only plus it seems that the seats might benefit from a shock absorbing system as well as under the fuselage
It appeared the landing skid suspension was too soft. he seats did not start collapsing until the bottom of the heli hit the ground. The seats then collapsed quicker than they would have if the gear had been a bit stiffer. JMHO.
Why don't equipped an Helicopter with a parachute and an expulsion rotor system to soft the impact?
the rotor have to be taken in too because the rotation and helicopter blades are like beyblades
The more safety features added the more the weight. In a fatal crash no amount of safety gear will help.
@thatonebeone I think the airbag in front thing (like a car) isn't going to help. The strike is from the bottom (not he front like a car). I figure if the seats could elevate before impact and then give a longer cushion it might reduce injury.
Or the landing struts. That seems like a no brainer. Why not have them take up more of the impact. Perhaps have them another foot longer and have them bring the speed down smoothly rather than just snap.
Idk if it’s the structure of the helicopter but it looks like the landing gear cushioned the fall
This is awesome. You guys are BOSSES.
@X0Pete if the tail rotor gets damaged then this will happen for sure but the forces on impact should still be the same so there is no need for nasa to test it while adding spin to it plus it would make recording the results 100 times harder
It held up pretty good. I like these videos.
Somehow stood up better than most Ryanair landings.
It’s definitely a better protection than a lot of other 🚁👍🏼‼️
When was the last time you saw a helicopter crash like this?? Usually they have lost the rear rotor and are spinning like a frakking top in the air....at the same time they are dropping like a stone! Or, when they hit the ground, they fall sideways and the spinning rotors hit the ground throwing shit...and people....and people parts flying everywhere. Results of this test: all occupants, who once had 3' spinal columns, now have 12" spinal columns....OUCH!
would a shock absorption system under the seats be helpful?
it would have to be a gel system and it would need to be very thick and very deep (top to bottom). There needs to be enough absorption to prevent the spinal injuries that were the result of this crash test (or presumably so). The spine is very brittle on the downward force. So get a tube of Pringles and drop them from ceiling height and make sure they land in a straight line 0% or do 33% like in this video using a fishing line to ensure in-line characteristics. Now, tell me what the chips look like, Yep, that's your spine.
At such a height and speed, it doesn't give much data. But as such, the helicopter isn't something you want to crash in that's for sure...
looks to me like they would have all died even in just a short fall, so imagine being up higher and unable to do auto-rotation.
If this was a fairground ride, i'd go on it!
That crash was Amazing
Helicopters are impossible to eject from. But what if so made it so before you eject straight up, you make the blades release. Of course this is for like war. You can't release blades into a city lol.
he forgot to flare
@X0Pete It looks to be a hard autorotation landing!
WOULD ATTACHING SHOCKS FROM BOTTOM OF COPTER TO LOWER SKID HELP? REBOUND COULD BE CONTROLLED BY LOCKING SHOCKS TO ONLY ACCEPT IMPACT , NOT RECOIL IT . IT WOULD SAVE BREAKING OF HINGED SKIDS . AND THE FULL BODY IMPACT . RESULT.
GIANFRANCO FRONZI SEPTEMBER /2/2011
Lol the dummy sitting in the pilot seat , yess ive just been in a crash , i think ill just get my head down on my collegues shoulder lol
i wonder if some sort of air bag thing could help with the crash or the dummies..
Very nice.
Black Hawk Down...We got a Black Hawk Down
did they die ?
easiest fix put in the seat that semis use
accelerator were stuck and brake not working
they died :(
Hmmm spinal snapped...
ill be honest with you all,, i think the crash will be way more dangerous because if theyre really flying they have the propellers to worry about swinging verry violent and it all depends on how high theyre in the air but good wreck thoo...
helicopter dose a split
Make a boring 737 8 MAX crash test
Cool
did he died??? Uhh?
This is better than nothing :)
wow... look at the dummy's head bounce off of the ceiling at 0:44
@X0Pete Yeah what if the helicopter was way higher and got hit and went down? I'm sure it'd flip over the Soldiers die in little helicopter crashes either way but it doesn't happen too much cause' it's a small target.
Wow! If only it was up and flying!! lol
If only it was flying with a remote control and crashed down t would be epic
heli* =.=
poor dummies !!! :*(
no blood? :(
@NASALANGLEY hahaha dont worry, I will!! XD
It took engineering degrees, an entire fuselage, and paid NASA employees to "predict" this? Thank god we pay the government to do all this valuable testing!
aww this is not cool
that hell should have went soi-soi-soi-soi-soi first, not like this 'release,bang!' method lolololol soisoisoisoisoi
Millions put into this test, just to find out what we all knew. Your ass will get hurt if your helicopter falls out the sky. Good work geniuses!
@hunter53able LOL Wait till' your 17th B-day to play Call of Duty little boy, it's rated M for MATURE.