Summary
Circumstances:
During take-off, the pilot inadvertently allowed the engine/rotor rpm to decay. By the time he realised his predicament, the main rotor was overpitched and the helicopter slowly settled back towards the ground. With a loss of tail rotor thrust due to the overpitching, the pilot was unable to avoid the body of the helicopter rotating through 270 degrees. During the rotation, the tail rotor and main rotor struck a small tree. The helicopter landed heavily, spreading the landing gear skids.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199102506 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 24/01/1991 |
| Location | Mt Christian (30 km south of Sarina) |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 04/04/1991 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Loss of control |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Hiller Aviation |
|---|---|
| Model | UH-12 |
| Registration | VH-HMT |
| Serial number | HA3066 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Business |
| Departure point | Mt Christian QLD |
| Destination | Greenmount QLD |
| Damage | Substantial |