Summary
The pilot and passenger were conducting inspections at various company facilities in the area. They had landed at a drilling site for an inspection which lasted over one hour. After a routine start-up and lift-off to a low hover, the helicopter commenced to move forward but the main rotor blades struck the ground.
The pilot considered that he had been unable to obtain correct cyclic control response during the take-off. No faults were found to indicate a control problem, although some parts at the top of the mast were substantially damaged during the accident.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199202576 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 21/05/1992 |
| Location | Corella Park Station, 30 km north-west of Cloncurry |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 20/02/1995 |
| 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 | Serious |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Hughes Helicopters |
|---|---|
| Model | 269C |
| Registration | VH-AJC |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Business |
| Departure point | Corella Park Stn QLD |
| Destination | Corella Park Stn QLD |
| Damage | Substantial |