Summary
During climb out from Dauan Island (Torres Strait), the helicopter suffered an engine power loss. The pilot placed the helicopter in autorotation from approximately 300 feet. Having heavily impacted the water, the helicopter sank and rolled inverted. The pilot and three of the four passengers escaped. The remaining passenger remained in the aircraft as it sank. One of the passengers who survived the ditching did not remain afloat and disappeared from the other survivor's view. The aircraft sank and has not been recovered.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199601505 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 07/05/1996 |
| Location | 6km E Dauan Island, (ALA) |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 01/05/1997 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Ditching |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Fatal |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter Co |
|---|---|
| Model | 206 |
| Registration | VH-RHQ |
| Serial number | 45257 |
| Sector | Helicopter |
| Operation type | Charter |
| Departure point | Dauan Island, QLD |
| Destination | Thursday Island, QLD |
| Damage | Destroyed |