Summary
On 12 June 2012, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Raven 1, registered VH-HIE (HIE), departed Moorabbin, Victoria with one person on board to conduct a private flight to a property at Moolort, about 23 km east of Maryborough aerodrome, Victoria.
During the flight, the pilot decided to check on the progress of a bore under construction about 2 km west of the intended destination. The pilot landed at the bore site without incident and after only a short time on the ground, decided to depart in the same direction as his approach.
At about 1130 Eastern Standard Time, the helicopter became airborne and as it transitioned from hover to forward flight, the pilot saw a single strand powerline directly ahead. The helicopter hit the powerline and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot was not injured, however the helicopter was seriously damaged.
The accident highlights the importance of a proper reconnaissance when flying in a wire environment and remaining focused only on operational tasks. The pilot's reaction to the wirestrike, which was to continue to fly the aircraft to the ground, assisted in him being able to land without injury.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AO-2012-079 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 12/06/2012 |
| Location | 19 Km from Maryborough Airport |
| State | Victoria |
| Report release date | 29/10/2012 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Short |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Wirestrike |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Robinson Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | R44 |
| Registration | VH-HIE |
| Serial number | 1112 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Private |
| Departure point | Moorabin Airport |
| Damage | Substantial |