ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 220003
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 5 October 1989 |
| Time: | 14:30 |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 BETA |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | VH-HYZ |
| MSN: | 543 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 75km SW of Coolibah Station, NT -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | 55km SW of Coolibah Station, NT |
| Coolibah Station, NT | |
| Investigating agency: | BASI |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot was engaged on a survey flight for the owner of Coolibah Station, the operator of the helicopter. While flying at approximately 500 feet AGL, a turn downwind was initiated. The helicopter was close to maximum all up weight and it started to lose altitude. The pilot started to apply more power but the helicopter continued to sink and the rotor RPM dropped. The pilot saw a gap in the trees and attempted to land in it, however, the main rotor hit a tree. The helicopter then slid along on the skids for approximately 10 metres before they dug into the ground and the helicopter nosed over. The pilot was engaged in conversation with the passenger and allowed himself to become distracted. He may have commenced recovery action too late. However, the helicopter was descending downwind which are conditions which predispose towards settling-with-power. Settling-with-power happens when the main rotor is settling in its own downwash and additional power will not stop the descent. The pilot's statement that he was applying more and more power but that the helicopter kept sinking indicates that settling-with-power was likely. Part of the technique for recovery from settling-with-power is to increase indicated airspeed before increasing power. This accident was not the subject of a formal on scene investigation.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1989/aair/aair198900831/
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/27788/aair198900831.pdf
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Dec-2018 06:38 | Pineapple | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation