Summary
The pilot reported that, while mustering an animal which had broken from the mob, one of the skids came into contact with the animal. This caused the helicopter to roll and strike the ground causing the tail boom to be severed and destroying the main rotor blades. The muster was being conducted in open country, with no trees in the area. The pilot had evidently allowed the aircraft to descend to an unsafe height during his attempts to return the particular animal to the mob. This accident was not the subject of an on-site investigation.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 198903769 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 25/04/1989 |
| Location | Lake Nash Station (160 km West of Mt Isa) |
| Report release date | 01/05/1989 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Animal strike |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Hughes Helicopters |
|---|---|
| Model | 269 |
| Registration | VH-UOB |
| Serial number | N/K |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | Lake Nash Station QLD |
| Destination | Lake Nash Station QLD |
| Damage | Substantial |