Mon, Sep 05, 2011
Australian Transportation Safety Bureau Releases Preliminary
Findings In The Accident
The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau has released its
preliminary report in an accident July 22nd near Turramurra on
Sydney's North Shore, in which a Bell 206 helicopter lost part of
its tail boom, resulting in the fatal injury of the two people on
board.
The ATSB report indicates that analysis of the wreckage
distribution and key components has indicated that a section of the
helicopter's tail boom had separated in flight, after multiple main
rotor blade strikes. The loss of the tail boom section was
consistent with its location 50 meters to the south of the main
wreckage, and also consistent with witness reports of the event.
There was evidence that power was being delivered to the main rotor
blades until the helicopter impacted the terrain. Examination of
the flight control system did not reveal any preliminary
indications of a contributory failure or pre-existing condition
that would have led to the separation of the tail boom section.
The ATSB has obtained air traffic control radar surveillance
records and recordings of radio communications between the pilot
and air traffic control. Investigators are examining this
data to develop an understanding of the helicopter's flight track.
Preliminary data indicates that the flight departed Rosehill at
around 9.00am (Eastern Standard Time) and tracked via Abbotsford
and the Lane Cove River to the South Turramurra area.
Efforts by specialist ATSB investigators are underway to obtain
information from recovered on-board GPS navigation equipment.
Although seriously damaged in the accident, the equipment may
provide additional detail on the helicopter's flight track and
altitudes leading up to the accident.
Bell 206 File Photo
Investigators are conducting interviews with witnesses to the
event as well as staff and personnel involved with the helicopter's
operation. This information will assist investigators form an
understanding of the operation and conduct of the flight. A
specialist human factors investigator has been assigned to the team
and will consider all aspects of the occurrence related to human
performance and the piloting role.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the accident fatally
injured Australian businessman Bruce Campbell and "freelance" pilot
Colin Greenwood.
More News
Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a corners>[...]
A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40 Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of >[...]
Line Up And Wait (LUAW) Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance >[...]
Contributing To The Accident Was The Pilot’s Use Of Methamphetamine... Analysis: The pilot departed on a local flight to perform low-altitude maneuvers in a nearby desert val>[...]
From 2015 (YouTube Version): Overcoming Obstacles To Achieve Their Dreams… At EAA AirVenture 2015, FedEx arrived with one of their Airbus freight-hauling aircraft and placed>[...]
Airbus Racer Helicopter Demonstrator First Flight Part of Clean Sky 2 Initiative
See All