On 22 January 2006, at approximately 1930 Eastern
Daylight-saving Time, the pilot of a Brantly International Inc B-2B
helicopter, registered VH-FBE departed Mount Dapper property near
Gulgong, NSW on a private flight to gain further experience on the
helicopter.
After approximately 15 minutes, the helicopter was observed to
commence a slow descent. An observer at the property homestead
became concerned that the projected flight path may lead the
helicopter to collide with the powerlines crossing the property.
The observer reported seeing the helicopter contacting the
powerlines, tumbling in the air and crashing to the ground. The
helicopter was engulfed by fire and destroyed. The pilot, the sole
occupant, was fatally injured.
The investigation did not find evidence of any pre-existing
condition that would have contributed to the accident. All of the
helicopter and its systems were accounted for at the accident site.
All damage and the separation of parts of the helicopter were
consistent with the onset of excessive loads experienced during
impact with the wire and ground.
The observer reported that the powerlines had been on the
property for a long time and their location was known by the pilot.
The pilot had other power lines on the property marked with red
coloured markers and had purchased two similar markers with the
intention of having them fitted to the powerlines involved in the
accident.
It is likely that the pilot became preoccupied with the
operation of the helicopter and either forgot that there were
powerlines in the area or did not see the powerlines.
FACTUAL INFORMATION
On 22 January 2006, at approximately 1930 Eastern
Daylight-saving Time, the pilot of a Brantly International Inc B-2B
helicopter, registered VH-FBE, departed Mount Dapper property near
Gulgong, NSW, on a private flight to gain further experience on the
helicopter.
After approximately 15 minutes, the helicopter was observed to
commence a slow descent. An observer at the property homestead
became concerned that the projected flight path may lead the
helicopter to collide with the powerlines crossing the property.
The observer reported seeing the helicopter contacting the
powerlines, tumbling in the air and crashing to the ground. The
helicopter was engulfed by fire and destroyed. The pilot, the sole
occupant, was fatally injured.
Figure 1: The accident site
Note: The powerlines post is visible at the right corner of the
photo. The powerlines extended to the left, almost overhead of the
wreckage.
The investigation did not find evidence of any pre-existing
condition that would have contributed to the accident. All of the
helicopter and its systems were accounted for at the accident site.
All damage and the separation of parts of the helicopter were
consistent with the onset of excessive loads experienced during
impact with the wire and ground.
The helicopter had recorded 170.1 hours in service at the time
of the accident. It had flown approximately 65.7 hours since the
last periodic inspection completed in November 2005.
The pilot was qualified on the type and approved for low flying.
He held a valid medical certificate. At the time of the accident he
had accumulated a total of approximately 184 hours.
It was reported that the sky was clear, temperatures in the high
twenties with a light and variable south-easterly breeze.
The observer reported that the powerlines had been on the
property for a long time and their location was known by the pilot.
The pilot had other power lines on the property marked with red
coloured markers and had purchased two similar markers with the
intention of having them fitted to the powerlines involved in the
accident.
It is likely that the pilot became preoccupied with the
operation of the helicopter and either forgot that there were
powerlines in the area or did not see the powerlines.