Investigation number
199400085
Occurrence date
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Air/pressurisation
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

The helicopter was hovering out of ground effect at about 15 m above ground level, with a right crosswind at 8-15 kt. As the pilot applied right pedal to turn more into wind, he felt a vibration and the helicopter commenced to rotate to the right. The pilot applied left pedal, moved the cyclic control forward, and lowered the collective pitch control in an attempt to recover the situation but the helicopter continued to rotate as it descended. After three or four rotations, the main rotor blades struck saplings and the pilot elected to land the helicopter. During the landing, the tail boom and then the main rotor contacted a log, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Schweizer Aircraft Corp
Model
269C
Registration
VH-CRY
Sector
Helicopter
Departure point
Solomon Mine QLD
Destination
Cairns QLD
Damage
Substantial