The ATSB has published a preliminary report from its ongoing investigation into a forced landing accident involving an R22 helicopter at Bankstown in Sydney’s south-west in October.
The helicopter, with an instructor and a student pilot on board, struck a car before rolling on its side in a carpark adjacent to Bankstown Airport on 3 October during an emergency autorotation forced landing.
The instructor was fatally injured, the student pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter was destroyed.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said today’s preliminary report details evidence gathered so far in the investigation, but does not contain analysis or findings, which will be developed for publication in a final report.
The preliminary report details that the instructor and student pilot were conducting a circuit training flight, in windy conditions.
“During the downwind leg of the first circuit, with the instructor in control from the left seat, the helicopter suddenly lost altitude, and the student reported seeing a loss of either engine or rotor RPM,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell explained.
“The student also recalled hearing a whistling noise prior to the RPM reduction.”
Dashcam video of the accident showed the helicopter turning back towards the airport, and into the wind, as it lost altitude. It was flared as it approached the ground, likely in an attempt to reduce the rate of descent.
The helicopter impacted trees, before colliding with the rear of a parked car and then the ground, coming to rest on its left side.
First responders stated that the instructor and student had their seatbelts on. Neither of them was wearing a helmet and nor were they required to.
ATSB investigators deployed to the accident site where they examined the helicopter wreckage, where no evidence of pre-existing defects with the flight control system were identified.
“On site examinations identified an absence of the physical damage expected in an engine that was operating at the time of impact, and evidence of an exhaust gas leak in the engine’s no. 4 cylinder, between the exhaust riser mount flange/gasket surface,” Mr Mitchell said.
The leak was located directly above the carburettor heat scoop assembly. Carburettor heat is designed to draw warm air into the carburettor to prevent or remove icing. In accordance with the operator’s standard checklist for the downwind leg of a circuit, the carburettor heat control handle was found in the ‘on’ position.
“Damage identified in the main rotor system was consistent with low energy flight, as also indicated by the dashcam and the observed spread of the wreckage,” Mr Mitchell said.
“As the investigation proceeds, it will include further analysis of physical evidence from the site, including the exhaust system components,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It will also include an analysis of the audio signatures captured by the dashcam video, a review of the pilot in command’s experience performing autorotation landings, and a review of both the manufacturer and operator’s procedures for autorotation landings.”
A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate action can be taken,” Mr Mitchell concluded.
Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Robinson R22 Beta, VH-RDL, Bankstown Airport, New South Wales, on 3 October 2025