Summary
Enroute to collect his passengers, the pilot elected to practice some autorotational landings. He successfully completed an autorotation with a power recovery, then decided to carry out a power-off landing. After ensuring that the touchdown area was suitable, the pilot commenced the manoeuvre from about 400 feet above the ground. The pilot subsequently advised that during the flare he misjudged his height above the ground and the aircraft landed heavily. The main rotor blades flexed and struck the tail boom.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 198800741 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 21/12/1988 |
| Location | 18 km South Woolner Station |
| Report release date | 29/03/1989 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Hard landing |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | 47 |
| Registration | VH-WHX |
| Serial number | 6653 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Charter |
| Departure point | Woolner Station NT |
| Destination | Adelaide River Bridge NT |
| Damage | Substantial |