Mad Skies

This Hiller helicopter crashed while filming the 1978 film “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!”. The pilot was supposed to enter the frame at the same time the police car was rolling in… but he came a bit fast and had to flare hard thus hitting the ground with the tail rotor. Although the crash was unscripted it was used for the film. The funny thing is the crash used up more of the budget than all other aspects of the film combined.

In helicopter terms an autorotation is the equivalent of a glide. In case your engine fails this is the only way you can bring your helo on solid ground safely. This autorotation is somewhat unusual because the pilot comes in a straight in approach without a flare. Takes quite some skill to keep that helicopter from biting the dust. Check it out!