The ATSB has released a preliminary report from its ongoing investigation of the in-flight break-up of a Robinson R22 helicopter in central Queensland on 20 April this year.
The report, which outlines factual information but does not contain findings, details that the helicopter, with a single pilot on board, was operating a positioning flight from near Tambo to a property near Jericho where it was to conduct mustering.
“The helicopter was fitted with a TracPlus tracking unit that transmitted the helicopter’s position, altitude and groundspeed every 15 seconds,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.
“Data from the TracPlus showed that shortly before 7:30 am, the helicopter, which had been cruising at about 2,400 ft above sea level, entered a steep descent.”
About 10 minutes later, one of the operator’s staff became concerned that there was no further tracking data for the helicopter, and alerted another of the operator’s pilots, who was helicopter mustering at a nearby property.
The second helicopter pilot located the wreckage of the accident helicopter in flat, open farmland around 9:45 am. The pilot of the accident helicopter had been fatally injured and their helicopter was destroyed.
ATSB transport safety investigators deployed to the accident site the following day.
“They identified damage to the main rotor blades, tail boom, and other components which indicated that the main rotor had impacted the tail boom in flight,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Impact damage limited the extent to which any pre-existing defects could be identified, however from the evidence available, no engine, flight control or structural issues were identified.”
As the investigation progresses the ATSB will consider a range of evidence as it works to establish the contributing factors leading to the in-flight break-up.
“Areas of further investigation will include pilot records and medical information, maintenance records, and weather information, as well as the further analysis of tracking data for the helicopter,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Our final report containing findings and the analysis to support them will be released at the conclusion of the investigation,” Mr Mitchell concluded.
“However, in the meantime should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so they can take safety action.”
Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Robinson R22 Beta, VH‑ESG, 42 km south‑east of Jericho, Queensland, on 20 April 2026