Investigation number
199504205
Occurrence date
Location
5 km S Buxton
State
Victoria
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Forced/precautionary landing
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

The Canadian registered helicopter C-GFHO, along with a pilot and maintenance engineer, had recently been shipped to Moorabbin Airport from Canada. It had been partially dismantled for transport to Australia and was re-assembled at Moorabbin Airport during November 1995. It was to have been part of the fire-fighting service to be operated during the fire season by the Victorian Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). For the fire-fighting role, the helicopter had the capability to ferry fire crews and to be used for rappelling operations. It was also equipped with a belly tank for fire bombing. DCNR had planned to base the helicopter at Benalla for the fire season. Some initial testing and training had been done with the aircraft after re-assembly, but it had not formally started fire-fighting operations.

Early on the afternoon of 13 December 1995, the pilot ferried the aircraft from Moorabbin Airport to Cockatoo, 35 km ENE of Moorabbin. During the afternoon it was used at Cockatoo to assist in the training of volunteer fire fighters. During this training the pilot gave familiarisation briefings to the volunteers, including demonstrating the helicopter emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). Two were carried; one was a marine survival beacon, and the other was a Narco ELTIO designed for aviation use. Subsequently, during start-up for a demonstration flight, the pilot discovered that the ELTIO was inadvertently switched on and transmitting the distress signal. He turned the ELT off but did not arm it for impact activation.

On completion of the training exercise, the pilot departed Cockatoo at 1623 ESUT for Benalla, to position for the start of operations. About 5 km S of Buxton, 105 km SSW of Benalla, the engine gearbox failed resulting in loss of drive from the engine to the main transmission. The pilot performed an autorotative descent but failed to reach a clearing. After initial tree impact, the helicopter travelled 60 m horizontally before ground impact. The trees were approximately 25 m high and the terrain was undulating. The helicopter was destroyed in the accident.

The wreckage was difficult to see from the air because of the tree canopy. Despite a subsequent search, the helicopter was not located until about 0916 ESUT on 14 December, approximately 16.5 hours after the accident.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Bell Helicopter Co
Model
205
Registration
C-GFHO
Serial number
C-GFHO
Operation type
Private
Sector
Helicopter
Departure point
Cockatoo, VIC
Departure time
1623 hours ESuT
Destination
Benalla, VIC
Damage
Destroyed