Update on ATSB investigation AO-2024-046: Collision with building involving Robinson R44 II, VH-ERH at Cairns, Queensland, on 12 August 2024
ATSB transport safety investigators are expected to complete their evidence collection activities in Cairns today (Wednesday).
To date they have examined the accident site and the helicopter wreckage; retrieved helicopter instrumentation for the download of recorded data at the ATSB’s Canberra facilities; interviewed the operator and witnesses; and collected CCTV footage and air traffic control surveillance information.
The ATSB conducts ‘no blame’ transport safety investigations to uncover and share safety concerns and lessons, and not for the purposes the purposes of taking administrative, regulatory or criminal action. As the flight was undertaken by a pilot who the operator has stated was not authorised to fly the helicopter, the ATSB may elect to discontinue the investigation should we determine there are unlikely to be broader safety lessons to be shared.
Based on the evidence gathered to date, the ATSB has assessed that other safety lessons may emerge from this accident.
As such, the ATSB currently plans to continue the investigation through to the publication of a preliminary report in 6-8 weeks’ time, at which point we will provide a further update on the course of the investigation. The preliminary report will detail the accident flight’s sequence of events and evidence gathered by the ATSB.