ATSB Releases R22 Crash Report

The Australian Transport Safety Board has released its final report into the fatal accident of a Robinson R22 helicopter in July last year. The R22 VH-YOL crashed north-west of Fitzroy Crossing on a flight from Big Rock Dam to Brooking Springs, WA.

According to the report, the pilot was trying to fly visual at low-level on a dark night, across terrain that had no lighting. About halfway through the flight, the Robinson collided with the ground, killing the pilot.

The report goes on to say: “The investigation found that the pilot was operating at night without the appropriate training or qualification in a helicopter that was not suitably equipped. An examination of the helicopter found no evidence of any pre-existent defects or anomalies.

The pilot was an experienced PPL(H) with 3500 hours, mostly on cattle stations. “Anecdotal evidence” gathered by the ATSB stated that pilot had flown back to Brooking Springs at night before.

The report can be downloaded from the ATSB website here http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2011/aair/ao-2011-087.aspx