Collision with terrain, Doongan Station, WA, 25 September 2007, VH-HCN, Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta II

On 25 September 2007 at about 0600 Western Standard Time, a
Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta II helicopter, registered
VH-HCN, departed under the visual flight rules (VFR) from Doongan
Station in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The purpose
of the flight was to conduct a stock survey in the vicinity of the
station. On board the helicopter were the pilot and one
passenger.

About 5 to 10 minutes into the flight, the passenger detected a
rubber-like burning smell, combined with a smell he associated with
hot metal. The passenger informed the pilot who immediately landed
the helicopter in a clear area adjacent to a nearby road. The pilot
visually inspected the helicopter with the engine and rotor
turning, and remarked that one of the rotor system drive belts
appeared to be damaged. The pilot decided to return the helicopter
to the station, while the passenger elected to remain at the
landing site and await recovery by motor vehicle.

The passenger watched the helicopter take off and, owing to the
calm conditions, continued to hear the engine noise of the
helicopter for some time. The passenger reported hearing variation
in the engine noise before it ceased abruptly. In response, the
passenger began walking along the road in the direction of the
station and discovered the wreckage of the helicopter adjacent to
the road. The helicopter had been destroyed by impact forces and
fire and the pilot had been fatally injured.

The investigation determined that the helicopter's main rotor
system drive belts probably failed or were dislodged, resulting in
a loss of drive to the rotor system that necessitated an
autorotative landing over inhospitable terrain. The investigation
also identified a number of safety factors relating to unsafe
decision making, including the operation of the helicopter beyond
the allowable weight and centre of gravity limits, as well as
evidence of the recent use of cannabis by the pilot.

As a result of this accident, and a number of other similar
events that were identified during this investigation, the
Australian Transport Safety Bureau has commenced a Safety Issue
investigation to determine if there are any design, manufacture,
maintenance or operational issues that increase the risk of a
failure of the rotor system drive belt in the R22 helicopter.