Ran Mh-60r N48-020 Written Off?

[Grumpy Cobra]

MH-60R N48-020 departed Sydney on HMAS Warramunga in early October 2017 for a nine month deployment, however reports indicate the helicopter suffered extensive damage in rough seas shortly there after on the ships transit through Bass Strait to the West Coast of Australia. So has N48-020 been written off, sent for repairs, or been relegated to an instructional airframe???????

From the SOUTH COAST REGISTER

https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story...t-not-how-much/

"DEFENCE has confirmed a $57.5 million Seahawk Romeo helicopter had to be replaced before deploying to the Middle East earlier this month after suffering damaged in a “transportation mishap”.

Defence has confirmed the aircraft was transiting Bass Strait onboard Warramunga on October 9, when the Romeo was “damaged in a heavy sea state”.

A Defence spokesperson said an initial investigation revealed one of the lashings securing the helicopter failed.

“The aircraft was replaced with another MH-60R Seahawk and Warramunga’s deployment to the Middle East has not been affected,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson would not comment further on the extent of damage to the aircraft, which the Register understands is significant after the helicopter allegedly ‘bounced’ around the hangar area, causing significant damage.

It is understood due the extent of damage to the air frame, it might be “a write-off”.

There was believed to also be significant damage to Warramunga’s hangar area but Defence would not say how much, only that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

The Australian Government purchased 24 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo naval combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion to replace the S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters."

This post has been edited by Grumpy Cobra on Jul 12 2018, 05:45 PM

[Invader26]

Any updates on the status of the bent Romeo?

It would have to be severe to write it off. Helicopters seem to me able to be rebuilt!

This post has been edited by Invader26 on Sep 21 2018, 07:37 PM

[Grumpy Cobra]

After a year and a half, N48-020 seen flying again recently!

Defence Images

This post has been edited by Grumpy Cobra on Dec 3 2019, 04:18 PM

[richardavn]

Life for MH-60R N48-020 is full on go after it did the highland fling in the hangar of HMAS Warramunga a couple of years back, all now fully repaired.
It was the display helicopter at the recent ADF Show at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Cheers
Richard Siudak

[Grumpy Cobra]

Reports HMAS Brisbane's MH-60R ditched in the Phillippine Sea today, thankfully all 3 crew rescued (with some minor injuries) by boats from Brisbane.

If recent images of Brisbane's Romeo are correct it would indicate the Romeo involved was N48-020 (subject to confirmation).

[GregHyde]

RAN Seahawks grounded after emergency landing in Philippine Sea

Three Royal Australian Navy aircrew were safely rescued after performing an emergency landing and ditching their MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in the Philippine Sea, following an undisclosed flight incident overnight.

The incident has led to the Australian Defence Force temporarily suspending all flying operations of the MH-60R Seahawk fleet, as it conducts its investigation into the cause of the incident, just days after signing off on a $1.3 billion deal to bolster its Seahawk fleet.

At the time of the incident, the helicopter was operating from Hobart Class destroyer HMAS Brisbane as part of a Regional Presence Deployment with Anzac Class frigate HMAS Warramunga.

The three aircrew were rescued by sea boats deployed by HMAS Brisbane approximately 20 minutes after the incident, and have received first aid for minor injuries.

HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Warramunga are searching the area for any debris to support the ADF’s investigation.

“With the aircrew safe, investigating the circumstances that led to the helicopter ditching is the priority at the moment,” Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond said.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2021/10/r...philippine-sea/

[Warhawk]

Aus and NZ defence mag states it was N48-016 "Nomad" on the day....

[SpazSinbad]

ROMEO Night Crash into the sea report is a two page PDF in the SPOTLIGHT 03 2023 at:
"BLINDED by the LIGHT"
https://dasa.defence.gov.au/sites/default/f...20Spotlight.pdf (3.8Mb)

[batman]

Thx for posting that Spotlight, Spaz.
I was interested in the SH near-miss.