Summary
The pilot was conducting a short joy-flight with six passengers from the Sea World complex. About 4 km north of the complex, the helicopter was seen to climb steeply in a near-vertical nose-high attitude. As the helicopter fell backwards from the nose-high attitude, the tail boom was severed by the main rotor blades. The cabin and the separated tail boom fell to ground on the ocean beach of South Stradbroke Island; The main body of the helicopter exploded and caught fire, scattering debris over a wide area. All seven occupants received fatal injuries.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199102520 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 03/03/1991 |
| Location | South Stradbroke Island |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 20/07/1992 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Collision with terrain |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Fatal |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | 206 |
| Registration | VH-TCH |
| Serial number | 45209 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Private |
| Departure point | Southport Spit QLD |
| Destination | Southport Spit QLD |
| Damage | Destroyed |