Summary
Before commencing operations from Oobagooma Homestead on a series of flights to be made for the purpose of
pegging mineral claims, the pilot briefed all passengers on safety precautions in flight and on the ground. The
briefing included instructions for movement near the helicopter while the rotors were in motion and a caution
that the area near the tail rotor was to be avoided at all times. After landing a second time at Margaret Beach,
the aircraft engine was held at flight idle power while passengers alighted and unloaded equipment. The
aircraft was then moved to slightly higher, level ground and again held at flight idle while the pilot and the
field assistant in charge of pegging discussed whether to continue pegging or stop for lunch. They decided to
continue pegging and the field assistant then walked to an area to the right hand side and to the rear of the
aircraft to pick up a box of pegging tapes. While returning to the aircraft and looking down at the box which
was held in both hands, he walked around the rear of the helicopter and was struck on the head by the rotating
tail rotor, which inflicted severe head injuries. The pilot considered that evacuation by air was unwise in
view of possible shock loading having occurred to the helicopter transmission. A member of a picnic party,
fortuitously at the beach, conveyed the injured man by boat to Cockatoo Island where a doctor gave medical
attention pending the arrival of an aircraft which conveyed the injured passenger to Derby.
