Circumstances:
On the day of the accident, the pilot had ferried the helicopter from Scone to Tomalla Station. He conducted an aerial inspection with the station manager before commencement of blackberry spraying activities. The accident occurred during the 14th spray flight whilst the pilot was attempting to fly the helicopter between two large trees. The pilot lost control of the helicopter when the main rotor blades struck branches of one of the trees. The helicopter impacted the ground heavily and soon after the pilot vacated the cabin, a fire started which destroyed the helicopter. The pilot said there was sufficient clearance for the helicopter to pass safely between the trees.
