No engine defect in fatal Outback Wrangler cast member chopper crash: ATSB

No engine defect in fatal Outback Wrangler cast member chopper crash: ATSB

by | Apr 19, 2022 | News | 0 comments

Aircraft safety authorities have found the engine of a helicopter that crashed, killing Outback Wrangler cast member and crocodile egg collector Chris Wilson, had stopped before the chopper hit the ground but an examination has not identified any defects of the engine likely to result in it cutting out.

The examination was included in a preliminary report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, released Tuesday, into the fatal crash of the Robinson R44 chopper – owned by crocodile wrangler Matt Wright’s company Helibrook Pty Ltd – while collecting crocodile eggs on the morning of February 28, near the King River about 30km south of Goulburn Island in Arnhem Land.

But the report stated the investigation is still yet to examine the electronic and fuel system components retrieved from the accident site, refuelling practices, fuel quality, maintenance records, operational documentation, regulations, and survivability aspects. These examinations will form part of a final report into the crash.

The investigation has found the downed helicopter, VH-IDW, was one of three Robinson R44 helicopters on the egg collection mission, each with one pilot and one egg collector.

It was one of two choppers out of the three that was permitted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to be flown with a person suspended 30 metres below the aircraft in a harness system so they could collect the eggs.

The line could be released by the pilot via a quick release system for the cargo hooks.

The investigation report said the helicopters took off from Noonamah about 7.30am, stopped for fuel on the way, and arrived near King River area about 8:50am.

It said that at about 9am VH‑IDW flew off to start collecting eggs close to the staging area, with pilot Sebastian Robinson and Mr Wilson, while the other helicopters flew off to collect eggs about 12 km northeast.

But by 10:14am the members in the second two helicopters became concerned they had not heard any radio communication from the VH-IDW crew since they had left.

“As a result, one of the pilots elected to return to the area they expected VH-IDW to be operating in,” the report states.

“At 10:36am, the pilot located the wreckage of VH-IDW and landed near the accident site. They found the helicopter substantially damaged having collided with trees and terrain.

“The sling person (Mr Wilson) was deceased, and the pilot (Mr Robinson) had sustained serious injuries.”

A map of the crash site provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Mr Wilson, 34, was a longtime friend and colleague of Mr Wright, and appeared on National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler for more than 10 years. The program is seen in 130 countries.

He was also the managing director of Northern Australia Civil, a company whose other director is crocodile farmer and Darwin publican Mick Burns.

Mr Robinson, 28, had a commercial helicopter pilot licence, had endorsement to fly at low levels, and had a total aeronautical experience of about 2,500 hours, the report detailed.

The report said a Careflight helicopter arrived on site at about 12:30pm, and Mr Robinson was flown to Maningrida, then to Royal Darwin Hospital, and was transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.

Jono Brown, Matt Wright and Chris Wilson.

Jono Brown, Matt Wright and Chris Wilson in a promo shot for Outback Wrangler in 2018. National Geographic/Daniel Walkington

It said the accident location was in the vicinity of the first target nest for egg collection by the crew of VH-IDW.

“No eggs had been collected, indicating that the accident probably occurred about 90 minutes before it was found,” it stated.

“A handheld emergency position indicating radio beacon and the helicopter’s emergency locator transmitter, which was not mounted in the installed airframe rack or armed in case of emergency, were subsequently found in the helicopter.

“Neither was activated to alert rescue personnel at the time of the accident.”

Site and wreckage

The report said the accident site was in a paperbark swamp about 300m from the staging area.

“The sling person was found approximately 40 m prior to the main wreckage. The long line attachment rings were not connected to the helicopter cargo hooks,” the report said.

“Although the pilot reported that they had been wearing the 4‑point seat restraint, the pilot had egressed the helicopter and lay beside it.

“The helicopter’s main rotor blade had struck and cut through the trunk of at least one tree at multiple points before the helicopter collided with terrain upright, facing northeast.”

A photo of the crashed helicopter provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

It said the helicopter’s skids had splayed and fractured, and the base of the pilot’s seat had crushed as designed to absorb impact forces, and the fuel bladder tanks were intact despite breaches of the surrounding metal tanks, and there was no fire.

“Initial assessment indicated that the engine was stopped when the helicopter collided with the ground,” it said.

“There was no visible damage to the tail rotor blades and continuity of the drive system and flight controls was established.

“The engine and associated components were taken to CASA-authorised maintenance facilities for examination under supervision of the ATSB,” it said.

“The examinations did not identify defects of the engine likely to result in engine stoppage.”

 

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