Robinson R22, VH-HEU, Wave Hill Station, Northern Territory, on 16 June 1990

Circumstances:

The pilot had been hired to ferry the aircraft to the operator in Western Australia and had landed to refuel at Elliot. While on the ground, he agreed to deliver a box to the Wave Hill police station and stowed it, unrestrained, on top of a jerry can in the unoccupied seat. The aircraft was reportedly fitted with permanently installed dual controls. On approach to land at Wave Hill Station, the box shifted, fell onto a swag on the floor and restricted the movement of the cyclic control. The pilot was thus unable to manoeuvre to avoid a cattle crate stand and the tail rotor struck one of the rails. The helicopter then landed heavily on its skids.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. Inadequate preflight preparation - improperly stowed cargo.

2. Unrestrained cargo moved and caused restricted movement of the flying controls. This accident was not the subject of an on-scene investigation.