ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 58510
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| Date: | Monday 1 November 2004 |
| Time: | 10:15ESuT |
| Type: |  Bell 47G-4A |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | VH-AHL |
| MSN: | 7632 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Binomea Homestead, Mudgee, NSW -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Taxi |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Binomea Homestead, Mudgee, NSW |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On 1 November 2004, the pilot of a Bell Helicopter Company 47G-4A, registered VH-AHL, repositioned the helicopter for loading prior to departing from his property airstrip at Binomea Homestead, Mudgee, NSW, for a locust spraying operation. That involved the pilot air taxiing the helicopter around and behind another helicopter that had already been loaded, and was about to depart the designated loading area.
The pilot reported that, as he air taxied abeam the other helicopter, he noted a power pole about 300 m from the helicopter, but had forgotten about the power cables that passed about 50 m from the airstrip. Those power cables were estimated to be at tree top height, which was less than 90 m above the ground.
During the repositioning, the helicopter struck the power cables, and the pilot reported 'fighting' the helicopter to the ground. The helicopter was destroyed by the ground impact and post-impact fire. The pilot suffered minor injuries.The pilot was appropriately qualified for the flight, and reported being medically fit and feeling well.
There were no reported environmental or helicopter maintenance factors relevant to the circumstances of the occurrence.In the pilot's opinion, had the power cables been marked, he would have seen and been able to avoid them. The pilot commented that land owners were expected to pay the cost of installing power cable markers, and that the installation costs could be prohibitive.
NOTE: VH-AHL was ex-ZK-HSO a model 47G-4A, operated by B A & J C Emeny Ltd, and was the last Bell model 47 on the active New Zealand register was withdrawn on March 24, 1999
Sources:
1. http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/support/flightsafety/pdf/destroyed.pdf
2. http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/sioux.html
3. https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2004/aair/aair200404286.aspx
4. http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/accidentdetails.aspx?accidentkey=4205
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 17-Jan-2009 11:49 | harro | Added |
| 17-Mar-2009 13:06 | harro | Updated |
| 08-Apr-2014 18:57 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, Location, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
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