ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 138349
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| Date: | Saturday 3 September 2011 |
| Time: | 10:57 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Westland Helicopter Company Pty. Ltd. |
| Registration: | VH-HCA |
| MSN: | 10072 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2003 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Mingah Springs Station, about 200km north of Meekatharra, WA -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Kumarina Roadhouse, Western Australia |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On 3 September 2011, the pilot and one crewman of a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 helicopter, registered VH-HCA, departed an airstrip located near Kumarina roadhouse, approximately 150 km south of Newman, Western Australia. The crew were conducting low-level geophysical survey operations when the pilot was observed to have slumped forward in the seat. The crewman, who was seated behind the pilot, made unsuccessful attempts to rouse the pilot. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain causing significant injuries to the crewman and pilot. After the impact the pilot regained consciousness but later succumbed to his injuries prior to the arrival of medical assistance.
The investigation found that, following the pilot’s probable incapacitation during flight, the helicopter’s descent could not be arrested before impacting terrain. It was likely that the incapacitation was of a similar nature to other previous unconsciousness events reported experienced by the pilot while not flying.
The pilot held a Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate with no restrictions, despite inconsistencies in recorded information in the pilot’s aviation medical questionnaires, and one previous unconsciousness episode being recorded. If information about the pilot’s medical history had been accurately documented and included on the medical questionnaires, further medical tests may have been required and the results used to better assess the pilot’s current medical status.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/atsb-investigates-fatal-chopper-crash-ng-dd37102a884d0c5c52acf13ce55f5b90
2. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/one-dead-one-injured-in-helicopter-crash/story-e6frfku9-1226128796853
3. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2011/aair/ao-2011-109.aspx
4. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2011/09/robinson-r44-raven-ii-helicopter.html
5. http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/4070241/ao-2011-109_final.pdf
Media:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Sep-2011 02:09 | RobertMB | Added |
| 04-Sep-2011 23:21 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 04-May-2014 00:19 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
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