Summary
The helicopter was hovering about 30 feet over a swamp when the pilot heard a noise and the helicopter began to vibrate. The pilot flew the helicopter towards dry land, but it began to rotate around the main rotor mast. A tail rotor failure procedure was carried out and the machine landed in the water.
The helicopter suffered damage to the tail boom, drive shaft, uprights and cross tubes.
Subsequent examination revealed that the tail rotor extension shaft drive pin had failed at the tail rotor gearbox.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199300308 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 20/02/1993 |
| Location | 7.5 km north-east of Woolner Station |
| State | Northern Territory |
| Report release date | 11/03/1994 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Forced/precautionary landing, Transmission and gearbox |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | 47G-3B1 |
| Registration | VH-JWI |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | Woolner Station NT |
| Destination | Woolner Station NT |
| Damage | Substantial |