While approaching the pontoon, the pilot reported noticing a warning message illuminate but was unable to verify the nature of the warning due to workload. Pilot elected to conduct a go-around. On the second approach at an altitude of about 40 ft above the pontoon, the pilot recalled feeling a ‘thud’ and the nose of the helicopter yawed sharply left. The pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter and it collided with the water. The pilot and two passengers exited the helicopter soon after the collision and swam free from the upturned helicopter. The remaining rear passenger was evacuated by one of the surviving passengers and the front passenger (in the copilot seat) was evacuated from the helicopter by the pilot. The two passengers that were unable to exit the helicopter unassisted were fatally injured. The two other passengers sustained minor injuries, and the pilot was uninjured.
- Date
- March 21, 2018
- Reg
- VH-WII
- Make
- Eurocopter
- Model
- EC120
- MSN
- 1603
- Location
- Hardy Reef pontoon, 72 km north‑north‑east of Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
- Country
- Australia
- CivilMilitary
- Civil
- Fatal
- 2
- Operator
- Whitsunday-Air-Services
- Link 1
- http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2018/aair/ao-2018-026/
Related Posts
- 22-Nov-18 N124ML Airbus H120 La Romana, Dominican Republic (5F)
- Albuquerque Police look to replace EC120
- Heli-Alps Purchases new Bell 505
- Rotortrade reports 2017 results
- San Jose City Council approves Airbus H125 to replace H120
- HeliHub prediction comes true – Robinson R66 kills off Airbus H120
- Baltimore Mayor proposes cutting one of four Police EC120s
- Aeropartner took delivery of the first multi-purpose EC-120B
- GTA signs MoU to provide maintenance for HFA helicopters
- Agreement Between Helang Flying Academy & Rotortrade Services
- Thales delivers a flight and navigation training simulator to the Royal Malaysian Air Force
- Swedish Government resumes state-funded pilot training
- Vector Aerospace expands FAA-approved ADS-B STC upgrade
- New Additions to Superior Air Fleet
- JSSI Enrolls HeliAir Sweden Fleet
- HeliAir Sweden Replaces MD500s with EC120B
- New Thermal Imaging Camera funded by Winnipeg Police
- Helisota adds Airbus Helicopters to its EASA Part 145 capabilities
- Genesys Aerosystems aims for FAA STC for EC120 HeliSAS and Two-Axis Autopilot
- Edmonton may put hold on Police EC120 replacement