Audi Pulled from Frozen Alaska Lake By KMAX Helicopter. 4k

This Audi A4 fell through the ice at Skilak Lake Alaska. This is the recovery from a K-MAX helicopter operated by Rotak Helicopter Services. I was lucky to get a call from a friend to help with this recovery.
Email: [e-mail]
Canon 90D
Canon 5D IV
GoPro Hero 6 & 8 .

[@tims9294]

Audi for sale , low mileage just washed!

[@Sk.2500]

Ventilation hole on the trunk

[@simonm1447]

You can tell this Rich Rebuilds, he is usually buying such cars

[@RustyZipper]

Clean, 1 owner, ran when parked. Price is firm, I know what I have!

[@Professor-Scientist]

how much?

[@jmoo876]

Yes we know the cost of the recovery is worth more than the car. They have to remove it for environmental reasons.

[@garyh4458]

They chose to remove it. They didn't have to remove it. The impact to the environment would have been minimal and they could have gotten in later when the lake isn't frozen.

[@joshgreaves9934]

Surely the pollution from both the helicopters is more than sinking that Pos Audi to the bottom of the lake.

[@JunKus3R]

@@joshgreaves9934 What a load of BS.

[@KrisDeVo]

Love all the comments! The reason is the Audi was at the head if the Kenai river, probably the largest recreational fishery in Alaska. It is also in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The fishery brings in 10s of thousands of people every summer and this area is at the headwaters of the Kenai and is huge for boating and fishing. It was a major hazard and needed to be removed as fast as possible. I believe insurance paid for the recovery for the most part.

[@st33lwill22]

@@KrisDeVo what insurance company just curious

[@Loftikaz]

I expected everything but the last part where he drops it on the trailer I didn't expect that level of precision

[@Actual.1]

One of the coolest salvage vids I’ve seen

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks!

[@-Galavanta-]

That KMAX pilot was awesome!!!

[@gpaull2]

Great job putting it on the trailer. Once saw a pilot perfectly coil up his long line as he descended for landing...incredible skill these guys have!

[@keith2964]

This week on Deadliest Ccatch: fishing for Audi's

[@davidthomas9190]

Golden 🤣🤣🤣🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@Dmhlcmb]

Your life is so interesting, I’m sure the cold is hard and every day isn’t as awesome as the videos make it look but man, you’re life is full of adventure.

[@erose1544]

Kmax has the coolest blade design. Looks like little flaps on each blade.

[@daleisatimpactms]

Tep its how it maneuvers with no tail rotor

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

@@daleisatimpactms No, that's not right. Most helicopters this size require hydraulically boosted controls to alter the blade pitch during rotation. This alteration of the blade pitch at certain parts of the rotor arc causes asymmetric lift, which is how the helicopter moves in one direction or another. The K-Max, having two rotors, you alter the cyclic pitch of each rotor independently. Both rotors lifting on the left, the helicopter moves to the right. Both lifting at the back, the helicopter moves forward. One lifting at the front, one lifting at the back, the helicopter yaws (rotates in place). That's a very simplistic explanation of how it flies, but is the reason why it can fly with no tail rotor. On small training helicopters you can alter blade pitch with manual controls. On heavier helicopters, you need hydraulic boost to move the rotor blades for you. However, the hydraulic system - pump, servos, cylinders, fluid - is all very heavy. On a helicopter that is designed to be light, because every pound of weight means a pound less that it can lift, that's not ideal. The K-Max uses an innovative and interesting system: instead of using hydraulics, and instead of using direct manipulation of the rotor blades, the pilot's controls move servo tabs on the blades themselves. Those are the "flaps" you see. If the controls direct the blade to increase pitch, it moves the servo tab up, and the air pressure from the blade moving through the air forces the blade to rotate and increase pitch. So it does have powered, boosted controls, but it uses air and servo tabs to do the work instead of complex, heavy hydraulics. The same method was used on old WWII bombers and large planes of that era. The pilots were nowhere near strong enough to move the massive control surfaces against the air pressure of the relative wind, so instead the pilot's controls move servo tabs (in some cases anti-servo tabs) which then apply force to move the control surfaces.

[@daleisatimpactms]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Huge respect for your love of this aircraft. Appreciate the enlightening explanation.

[@MrSunrise-]

@@ScottsSynthStuff Nicely explained.

[@millimetreperfect]

A well put together vid, good teamwork too. Well done.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@ToyManFlyer1100]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say the driver was following his GPS and it said turn left here. 😉😉😉😉

[@jettelo]

I bet the insurance company wouldn't pay until he got that car out

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

@@jettelo The EPA fines are assessed daily, so it’s best to catch it before it goes to the bottom and you have to bring in an under water cold water dive team.

[@jettelo]

@@JimsEquipmentShedbeing a HVAC man you don't have to tell me

[@mrz6462]

Apple maps, not GPS

[@thecovidprisoner]

Audi A4 for sale minor water damage . Insurance claim form ...Cost of recovery includes two helicopters , 6 men , recovery vehicle $$$$$

[@flydubs792]

This is how they have fun..priceless

[@heyrod59]

You know the car owner got dropped by the insurance company for this. And because of this, no other insurance company will take him/her......

[@thecovidprisoner]

@@heyrod59 Its not a surpise is it. Pure stupidity deserves the contempt it warrants.

[@firstnamelastnameisallowed7943]

@@thecovidprisoner you said it!! I thought to myself for maybe a fraction of a second as to how or why this vehicle ended up in it's watery parking spot, then I saw the type of car it is. An Audi that happens to be a sporty fun little car that is AWD with a turbo. AWD or All Wheel Drive if anyone didn't know, now you do! LoL all wheel drive and ice or frozen lake equals a perfect spot to slide around and not have to worry about ramming into curbs or light poles or people! Then the moment you realize you're on thin ice, or you where on thin ice I should say!! LoL lucky the water was very sallow there or that could have been a completely different kind of a recovery..

[@thecovidprisoner]

@@firstnamelastnameisallowed7943 Ahhh yes posh car idiots sliding around like in adverts or Bond movie. Totally been sold the dream until.....🌊🚕❄lesson served ice cold 😁

[@glennimber8175]

That was awesome! Top class pilot skills dropping it into the trailer, I'd love to work with this team, what a great job and team! 👌

[@KrisDeVo]

Glad you liked it!

[@felixcat9318]

What a superb video, excellent risk management and safety protocols! A perfect example of a highly professional helicopter company working with local agencies to clean up part of the pristine wilderness in a tasking that only an experienced long line load specialist could do! The Audi would have been around 3 tons heavier with all the trapped frozen water contained in the cabin and boot (trunk) and that was nothing for this fantastic helicopter. A Beautifully managed operation in breathtaking surroundings! Subscribed.

[@KrisDeVo]

Really appreciate that! Thanks

[@ThisIsInput]

Those KMAX helicopters have such a crazy lift capacity-to-weight ratio. Saw one last year where I live dragging lines up and down the beach for several days.

[@daveyt4802]

I may never go ice fishing again. Helicopter pilots are amazing.

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

Impressive lift with the combined weight of the car and the water for a relatively small helicopter.

[@TheIrongutz]

K-Max is a beast, we used it for forest firefighting in BC Canada but it’s expensive to operate

[@greatalaska6429]

"Not one truck on the lake, I think ill drive all the way to the mouth" Go back to anchorage...

[@BrokenRRT]

Quality of this video and editing is outstanding!

[@KrisDeVo]

Really appreciate that! Thank you

[@FlyingDaddy721]

One of my favorite helicopters and the color schemes are awesome.

[@martinschonke6586]

Best thing ever that reverse horn syncing up with the music!

[@KrisDeVo]

haha it does!

[@kevinduddy2286]

Incredible dedication with the ground crew !!!!

[@LionelLaCorbiere]

Just saw this and just realized it was months ago, but several sites and folks I follow, would’ve loved the challenge of bringing this car back to life! Good job guys!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you! Cheers

[@markmark2080]

KMAX, now that's a GOOD mule you got there...

[@dozer1642]

KMax doesn’t get all the hype. KMax is just badass.

[@craighagland3584]

Amazing job guys , very talented individuals

[@dmlundgren]

That was a blast to watch. Thanks for sharing!

[@KrisDeVo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@firstlast7099]

Should be titled “The most expensive way to pull junk from a frozen lake”

[@kornpops1261]

15 20k recovery

[@richardgiorgetti8485]

Outstanding precision team work, bravo guy’s...

[@imtiazhussain403]

Nice job

[@paddlemore1911]

I soloed in 84....one if the coolest aerospace videoas ever!

[@andyschau9206]

Who was smart enough to drive the car into the lake? Cars are for driving, you can't use them like a boat. But great respect to the helicopter pilot for hitting the trailer perfectly despite the long line.

[@IhateYoutube]

Impressive recovery even set it down on the dang trailer! :)

[@highcountryhomestead5270]

Awesome Work, just watched several of your videos, you are a impressive individual, look forward to more outstanding content…

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@elliot330]

On Copart next week, minor damage to top of trunk/boot lid, looks like pick axe damage ;-)

[@nocalsteve]

Recently deep cleaned.

[@jimwright5492]

Brilliant lockdown video,well done all round,the heavy lift pilot sets Audi on trailer no fuss ,great

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks 👍!

[@MrFg1980]

That probably cost more than the car is worth...

[@danielarscott6065]

When brand new! I’m sure

[@mrz6462]

The fine for leaving it in the lake is probably more than the helo removal and car combined

[@ranman]

some of the costs are weighted against the environmental aspect

[@georgetreduen4502]

@@ranman to be hoped

[@Biffo1262]

It has to be removed to prevent any pollution if it rots out.

[@grumpy1311]

Great job guys!!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks!

[@FriendlyNikolai]

Damn this is the coolest video in 2021

[@iansmith2726]

Good work and cool video!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks man!

[@mikeyo4406]

Can't Imagine what the bill would be for such an operation! Back in my twenties I drove tow truck And had a few tows that were well over 2 grand. This must have been 10x that lol. Awesome video 👍

[@KrisDeVo]

Yes at least! Thanks

[@prabhakarkmv4135]

Hard work well done and hardwork pays too!

[@sampointau]

Love working with kamov's!

[@eds6889]

I gotta say I didn’t think the roof would hold. With the car’s weight and the water inside there was probably 5 tons on those straps.

[@KrisDeVo]

The Kmax can lift 6,000lbs. It was definitly heavier till some of the water drained out. We thought it would do a lot more damage to the roof too.

[@u-know-this]

@@KrisDeVo german passenger compartment engineering

[@keith2964]

Alexa: find me the best fishing spot.....OK

[@Rsenior1981]

12:32 HEY, watch the paint!

[@allensandven0]

My first thought was that roof would rip the B pilars right off of the car body ! I was wrong but definitely wouldn’t stand under it or bet the farm on it . Great job !

[@FraLin]

no way, the weight of a car is minimum, even with a ton of water extra.

[@sameppink9401]

lol that German engineering 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@sanalzam1]

Great Vid.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks!

[@sanalzam1]

Always wanted to work with those!

[@2010gtoner]

Interesting vid.

[@chaimf1974]

That's awesome, that he put it straight on the bed.

[@kingbee5155]

That's great! You got it Audi.

[@williamandrews1683]

BEST. REPO. MAN. EVER!

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate that!

[@theogbigsmoke6195]

god I would not want that bill ! this is why we ALWAYS double check ice conditions and thickness children

[@MM-fq9gi]

I have an awesome K-Max coffee cup from Navy trials of the K-Max twenty plus years ago.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats great!

[@kevinduddy2286]

Awesome piolet !!!!;

[@anotherdave5107]

Nothing the blow dryer can't fix.

[@TyBrenninger]

Those are some fucking impressive flying skill from the lift helicopter

[@alec4672]

"on this episode of top gear, May crashes a car, I get in a boat, and Hammond flies a helicopter" *Jessica plays*

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

Here's a little trick. Try it next time. Get 4 large hoses, each about 20' long. (as large as diameter as you can handle) Place each hose on the floorboard (one per seating position). Fill the hoses with water, secure them WELL to the floorboard. Leave the excess hose dangle out of the poor busted windows. Bam...watch it siphon out quickly. Damn I'm smart.

[@Ian-ij4of]

So many things could of gone wrong, you guys were all sensible and professional...well done lads. I take it the car was sitting on an island?..that's why it never sank to the bottom...have a great Christmas and you all take care...

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Ian, appreciate that. The car ended up settling in a shallow area near the mouth of the river from the lake. We didn't know that till we were on location. Merry Christmas to you as well.

[@trivialinsignific]

awesome machine -

[@KrisDeVo]

It sure is!

[@blackhawk0606]

Quattro is amazing, it even works underwater to move the car out of the ice!!

[@rootvalley2]

The guy after fishing was like hey that’s not where I parked, ice must have shifted. Started it up and drove home.

[@TREX-4594]

Owner is inside with just a little freeze

[@heybelsky]

Awesome

[@nv1493]

Impressive teamwork. Wonder how the Craigslist ad read ......

[@antr7493]

i hope the person that drove it into the ice is paying for all of this

[@frodev728]

This takes scuby in a lake to new levels

[@-fuk57]

Matt’s Off Road Recovery ain’t got nothin’ on Alaska Off Road Recovery.

[@KrisDeVo]

Glad you enjoyed the recovery!

[@Lorenzoyes]

4 wheel drive Audi doesn't mean you can go everywhere 😁

[@akapsycods]

Lies! It obviously can go anywhere (including in the air)

[@rubezahlmountainworks7974]

Lol right on the trailer!

[@Kkakay77]

Hell yeah K-max

[@michael6711]

Schöner audi a4 b6 😢🖐

[@jasonventura449]

I haven't seen anyone asking how it git there...so how did the car get there?

[@OhioPalmTrees]

Enjoy it while it last, only takes once.

[@4x4outdoorsak35]

What brand is your raft ? Also cool video I have fished that area lots haha

[@KrisDeVo]

Not sure. The owner of the Helicopter company bought it.

[@sameppink9401]

I’m surprised the roof was strong enough to hold all that weight.

[@KrisDeVo]

We were unsure of that as well

[@yoyo5069]

Aldi for sale. Just detailed. No issues. Comes with built in fishtank

[@RustyZipper]

Clean, 1 owner

[@FraLin]

why did you damage the poor Audi so much? How much was the tow and the repair? How did it get in their?

[@SolveigDeux]

What brand and what quantity of beer was involved in setting up of the Audi?

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats a good question!

[@tjnucnuc]

What was the driver doing driving there in the first place? That’s what I want to know.

[@patrickjustus]

Dam I'm sure the cost of that recovery was more then the cars even worth. The owner won't forget that screw up for a long time.

[@jamescollins1272]

Lots of the smart guys out there already know this, but I was a bit dumb, about the total Hassle you can evoke on yourself by looking for a used car in the $7000 to $17,000 and below and beyond. But the short version of my comments would be - sometimes, just from the Car-whatever and others searches.... if you look carefully, especially if you’re looking at SUVs, as I was looking at 4Runners. You can easily see RUST MARKS and RUST stains on interior carpets where the flood waters came some where above the point of the rust you discover and that seawater may be still trapped rusting pieces of metal normally out of sight. On two 4Runners I found there were obvious rust corrosion are on the squared metal hasp, where the rear hatch comes down to lock into.

[@GC-rf2st]

The Alaskans are really really hot on keeping environmental damage to a minimum, yet people drive around the wilderness because they can, seems a bit of a contradiction to me

[@TomKappeln]

I did the same thing in Germany only without a KMAX ... 4 Liftingbags to the rims and a winch was enough for a former (German) mine diver :P (In my case the driver was waiting for help IN the car ! lol)

[@TomKappeln]

PS: I also was involved in the search for `the real "Airwolf" that has crashed in bad weather in Germany ! Not many people know the fact that AIRWOLF is destroyed.

[@abrahammoncherry9248]

The raw pilot was goood

[@brouillacblues]

So what I want to know id did it start first time? If so Im off to buy Audi.

[@KrisDeVo]

Haha! That would have been somthing

[@keith2964]

Anybody else here the cellphone ringing inside the car?

[@JurisKankalis]

Human ingenuity leaves me (almost) speechless. I mean of course getting the poor car in there. Getting it out was the easy part, as it seems. Any specs on the heli? Lifting force vs eg Sikorsky Skycrane?

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaman_K-MAX

[@17madracki17]

Thanks for breaking glass where my kids play.

[@KrisDeVo]

Our pleasure!

[@prabhakarkmv4135]

It looks like a brand new car with a ribbon tied around like a gift wrap! Whose Audi it is anyway!

[@MaNNeRz91]

I would of left the raft there and just pulled the rope to bring it back I am that lazy. The rest of this was awesome would love a job like that 👌

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

Why do you break out the windows? Some kind of weird anger thing?

[@MenacingRabbit]

Alright who was trying to drift on ice? Come on just fez up now otherwise we will know when someone’s missing a car at the car show.

[@MrBobconner1952]

OK, I'll ask - why in hell were they driving an Audi on the ice???

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats a good question

[@kyqx]

Peak KZbin!

[@abrahammoncherry9248]

The taw pilot was goood

[@BillStecik]

40s german technology still unbeatable

[@augggie]

BadAss small chopper

[@charlyperez1636]

Dam!!..now I know why I got my Audi so cheap!!!

[@richardj163]

What was the cost of that? $40,000 USD ? More?