The ATSB has released its initial report on last week's ABC helicopter crash near Lake Eyre, which claimed the lives of pilot Gary Ticehurst, journalist Paul Lockyer and cameraman John Bean.
On August 18 an Aérospatiale Industries AS355F2 (AS355) helicopter, registered VH-NTV, was operating in an area southeast of Lake Eyre. On board were the pilot and two passengers. The helicopter landed on an island in the Cooper Creek inlet, about 145km north of Marree, SA at 1715 Central Standard Time.
At about 1900, the pilot departed the island to take the occupants back to their accommodation at a property about 47km north of Marree. It was reported that, soon after take-off, the helicopter collided with terrain. The aircraft was substantially damaged and there were no survivors.
The weather conditions were reported to have been fine and clear at the time. Sunset in the area was at 1758 and the end of evening civil twilight at 1822. Moon rise was at 2158. The aircraft was equipped to conduct operations at night under the visual flight rules.
The ATSB dispatched a team of four investigators to the site, but due to the remote location, the on-site examination was unable to commence until August 20. The wreckage was located about 3km east-north-east of the island in Cooper Creek.
The examination identified all major components and extremities of the helicopter at the accident site. The wreckage trail was 60m long and indicated that the aircraft was travelling in an easterly direction at the time of impact. Much of the wreckage was damaged by a post-impact fire.
The on-site examination is continuing and several components will be recovered from the site for technical examination. These include both engines, a number of components from the helicopter’s flight control system, some of the flight instruments, and the helicopter’s global positioning system unit.
In addition, a number of witnesses have been, or are being, interviewed, and the following data is being obtained for later examination:
- the helicopter’s maintenance and airworthiness records;
- helicopter operational information; and
- records of the pilot’s experience and medical status.
The accident was the first fatal accident involving a twin-engine helicopter in Australia since 1986, and the first involving an AS355 in Australia. At the time of the accident, there were 10 AS355 helicopters registered in Australia. VH-NTV was manufactured in 1988 and first registered in Australia in February 1989.
The investigation is continuing and the ATSB will issue a Preliminary Factual Report within 30 days of the accident.
The accident site where VH-NTV collided with terrain near Lake Eyre. (ATSB)
