The ATSB will examine fuel management, storage and quality monitoring procedures as part of its ongoing investigation into the ditching of a Bell LongRanger helicopter in the Torres Strait, off Far North Queensland, a preliminary report notes.
The helicopter ditched a short time after taking off from Thursday Island (Waiben), on 6 January 2026. The pilot, the helicopter’s sole occupant, was able to egress uninjured, before it sank.
The ATSB’s preliminary report into the accident summarises evidence gathered to date, but does not contain findings or analysis.
It notes the helicopter was at about 300 ft after taking off from Sadie’s Beach Helipad, when the pilot encountered several sudden and violent yawing movements, and then a reduction in both engine and rotor RPM.
The pilot partially reduced the collective in an attempt to recover rotor RPM, but it continued to decay until the low rotor RPM warning light illuminated.
The pilot commenced an autorotation landing, and was able to activate the helicopter’s pop-out floats before landing onto the water below. The helicopter landed upright, but then rolled over inverted about 15 seconds later.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the ongoing investigation would review accident survivability, pilot training and procedures, and the results of an independent engineering investigation.
It will also examine a range of factors relating to the fuel being used, he said.
“The pilot had just dropped two passengers off at Thursday Island, having spent much of the day flying them between several outer Torres Strait islands,” Mr Mitchell explained.
“During the day’s flying, the helicopter twice visited Coconut Island (Poruma) to refuel from an intermediate bulk container (IBC) positioned there by the operator.”
The report notes the helicopter started the day loaded with fuel that was stored in static tanks on Horn Island, and that the IBC on Coconut Island was supplied via Horn Island as part of a broader distribution network.
“The ATSB is still considering the contributing factors in this investigation, and the management, storage and quality monitoring practices involved in this operation will be considered in that process,” Mr Mitchell said.
A final report detailing those contributing factors will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.
Read the preliminary report: Engine failure and ditching involving Bell 206L-3, VH-LMW, 6.5 km west of Horn Island Airport, Queensland, on 6 January 2026