Robinson R22-Beta, VH-LBX, Cattle Camp Station (40 km north-east of Dysart), Queensland, on 30 August 1990

Circumstances:

The helicopter was to be used to move cattle from one paddock to another on the property. Staff expected that the aircraft would return to the refuelling point around 1100 hours local time. A search was commenced at about this time. The wreckage was located in the mustering paddock at about 1230 hours. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the tail boom had been moved in an anticlockwise direction into the top of an 11-metre-high gum tree. The tail rotor blades struck the tree trunk, which was 25 millimetres in diameter, and part of one blade broke off. Out-of-balance and still rotating the entire tail rotor and stabilizing fins separated from the tail boom. The main body of the helicopter then struck the ground at a very high rate of descent. There was no horizontal speed, yawing or bank at the time of impact. The pilot was unable to remember the accident circumstances and there were no other witnesses.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The area contained occasional trees significantly higher than the surrounding bush.

2. The tail rotor struck the top of a tree for reason/s that could not be determined.