On 31 March 2004, at 0600 Eastern Standard Time, the Robinson
R22 helicopter with one pilot on board departed on a ferry flight
to commence mustering operation from a property approximately 15
minutes flying time to the north-north-east. The pilot reported
that he landed at the property and picked up a passenger who was
going to show him the paddocks, fences and laneways.
At about 1000, after mustering cattle into a small paddock, the
pilot made an approach to land beside a fence. The pilot indicated
that the weather was fine with good visibility. The wind was from
an easterly direction at 5 kts and the temperature was 25 degrees
C. He reported that he saw a powerline and aimed to land adjacent
to a point where the powerline changed direction. However, he did
not see a third wire, which the helicopter struck at a height of
about 30 ft. The helicopter spun into the ground and landed on a
barbed wire fence. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to
the tail boom, lower vertical fin and tail rotor blades. The two
occupants escaped with minor injuries.