Bell 205 A/1 Helicopter, VH-UHP, near Longford, Vic, 3 October 1974

Summary

Shortly after take-off, when at a height of about 150-200 feet and at a speed approaching 60 knots, the engine power warning light came on accompanied by the sound of the audio warning signal. A few seconds later there was a complete loss of engine power and the pilot placed the aircraft into an auto-rotation descent. The aircraft sank through the layer of fog, which left moisture on the windscreen, and emerged from the base at a high rate of descent. In the limited time available, the pilot flared the aircraft, applied full collective pitch and attempted to level the aircraft for a run-on landing, but it struck the ground heavily and the main rotor blades severed the tall boom. The aircraft then slid along the wet grass surface for about 76 metres and came to rest in a normal attitude, facing 90 degrees to the left of the landing direction.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403143
Occurrence date 03/10/1974
Location Longford
Report release date 10/09/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Hard landing
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level None

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Bell Helicopter Co
Model 205
Registration VH-UHP
Sector Helicopter
Operation type Charter
Departure point Longford Helipad
Destination Ktngftsh "A" Oil Rig
Damage Substantial

DHG-2 Bearer, 3 km west of Hamilton Tasmania, VH-BSY, 19 April 1974

Summary

Aircraft struck newly installed power line. Wing detached and aircraft struck ground and burst into flames.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403118
Occurrence date 14/04/1974
Location Hamilton
Report release date 20/11/1974
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Wirestrike
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer De Havilland Canada/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Model DHC-2
Registration VH-BSY
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Hamilton Plains
Destination Hamilton Plains
Damage Destroyed

Cessna 210H, VH-KIG, Mt. Dom Dom, Healesville, Vic, 18 June 1974

Summary

At about 1545 hours EST on 18 June, 1974 a Cessna 210H aircraft, registered VH-KIG, flew into the south-western side of Mount Dom Dom, Victoria, about 100 feet below the summit. The aircraft was on a private flight from Archerfield, Queensland, via Mudgee, New South Wales, to Moorabbin, Victoria. The four occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and subsequent fire. The eyewitness evidence indicates that the pilot was attempting to maintain visual flight below cloud but as the clearance between the cloud base and the rising terrain around Mt. Dom Dom reduced this finally became impossible.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403128
Occurrence date 18/06/1974
Location Mt. Dom Dom, Healesville
Report release date 04/03/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 210
Registration VH-KIG
Operation type Private
Departure point Mudgee
Destination Moorabbin
Damage Destroyed

Loss of control Czechoslovak Automobile L-40 Meta Sokol, VH-DUX, Tooradin, Vic, 5 May 1974

Summary

Aircraft bounced several times on takeoff pulled into air in stalled condition. Prop pitch found faulty.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403121
Occurrence date 05/05/1974
Location Tooradin
Report release date 20/12/1974
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Minor

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Czechoslovak Automobile & A/C
Model L-40
Registration VH-DUX
Operation type Private
Departure point Tooradin, Vic
Destination Moorooduc
Damage Substantial

Aero Commander, Mooorooduc Victoria, VH-BFA, 15 March 1974

Summary

Unauthorised flight by student pilot lost control after takeoff. The car arrived at the southern end of the airstrip as the aircraft commenced to take off towards the north. After a short ground roll, the aircraft became airborne and climbed steeply to a height of about 150 feet. It then commenced a steep climbing turn to the left and, after turning through some 90 degrees, the nose dropped and the aircraft dived to the ground and overturned after impact. Shortly after impact a fierce fire broke out and extended to the surrounding scrub.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403113
Occurrence date 15/03/1974
Location Mooorooduc
Report release date 20/11/1974
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Aero Commander
Model 100
Registration VH-BFA
Operation type Private
Departure point Mooorooduc
Destination nk
Damage Destroyed

Auster III, Model F, VH-GCV, Latrobe Valley, Vic, 14 January 1974

Summary

The aircraft was observed to take-off towards the west in calm conditions and, almost immediately after it became airborne, the starboard wing lowered and a climbing turn to the right was commenced. As the turn progressed the angle of bank increased until, after the aircraft had turned through approximately 90 degrees, it was estimated to be about 45 degrees. At this stage, at what appeared to be a low airspeed, the starboard wing struck the top of a tall pine tree situated about 125 metres to the north of the strip from which the take-off was made. The aircraft then descended steeply and struck the ground in a nose down attitude some 35 metres north of the tree. Examination of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of any pre-existing defect or malfunction of the aircraft which may have contributed to the accident. The pilot has said that he suffered a loss of memory and is unable to recall the circumstances of the flight or the accident.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403099
Occurrence date 14/01/1974
Location Latrobe Valley
Report release date 21/10/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Serious

Piper PA31/310 Navajo, VH-EYF, Rylstone, NSW, 29 December 1974

Summary

At approximately 0145 hours Eastern Summer Time on 29 December, 1974 two parachutists were fatally injured by impact with the ground following attempted night parachute descents near Rylstone, New South Wales. The cause of the accident was that the parachutists, whose judgement and capabilities were affected by the consumption of alcohol, attempted night parachute descents involving manoeuvres for which they were inadequately trained and equipped.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197401470
Occurrence date 12/12/1974
Location Rylstone
Report release date 13/03/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Miscellaneous - Other
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Model PA31/310 Navajo
Registration VH-EYF
Operation type Sports Aviation
Departure point Rylstone
Destination Rylstone
Damage Nil

Beech A23/24, VH-DDA, near Coffs Harbour, NSW, 23 October 1974

Summary

The aircraft took off from Runway 10 at Coffs Harbour and commenced to climb in an easterly direction. At an altitude of about 300 feet, there was an abnormal engine noise and the pilot commenced a left hand turn with the intention of returning for a landing. Very shortly after the turn was commenced a substantial reduction of engine power occurred and, in preparation for a forced landing, the pilot discontinued the turn and headed towards what he believed to be a clear area. The pilot raised the nose of the aircraft as it descended and eventually crashed into trees situated some 400 metres east-north-east of the upwind end of the runway from which it departed. A detailed examination of the aircraft wreckage, including the engine, was carried out. It was found that all the main engine bearing shells exhibited evidence of fretting on the outer surfaces as a result of micromovement within the crankcase halves and, at some considerable operating time prior to the accident, bearing metal pick-up had occurred in the rear half of the front main bearing. It is unlikely that the condition of the bearings would have resulted in any significant resistance to engine rotation.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197401460
Occurrence date 23/10/1974
Location Coffs Harbour
Report release date 16/12/1976
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Serious

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Beech Aircraft Corp
Model 23
Registration VH-DDA
Operation type Private
Departure point Coifs Harbour
Destination Bankstown
Damage Destroyed

Cessna 172H, VH-KWN, Mud Islands, Port Phillip Bay, Vic, 5 January 1974

Summary

Attempts were made to obtain photographs of VH-MJO with sharks in the background but these were unsuccessful. It was then decided that VH-KWN would descend to 500 feet to photograph the school of sharks, while VH-MJO remained clear of the other aircraft. The pilot of VH-KWN extended flap to 30 degrees and reduced speed from about 70 knots to 55-60 knots, using just sufficient engine power to maintain 500 feet altitude. Two left hand racecourse orbits were flown around the sharks and, during the third orbit, while on a north-easterly heading, the pilot had a discussion with the photographer regarding the positioning of the aircraft and then looked out to the right to check the location of the other aircraft. As a further left turn was initiated the pilot looked at the aircraft instruments and noticed that the altitude had decreased to 300 feet and that the airspeed was also low. The port wing dropped and the stall warning was heard to operate. Despite the initial application of corrective aileron, and the subsequent application of right rudder, forward stick and engine power, the aircraft lost height rapidly and struck the water in a nose down, port wing low attitude.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197403096
Occurrence date 05/01/1974
Location Mud Islands, Port Phillip Bay
Report release date 06/05/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Serious

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 172
Registration VH-KWN
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Moorabbin
Destination Moorabbin
Damage Destroyed

Cessna 182K, VH-KRE, Wilton NSW, 1 September 1974

Summary

At approximately 1120 hours E3T on 1 September 1974 a parachutist was fatally injured by impact with the ground following a free fall descent at Wilton, New South Wales. The cause of the accident was that following a malfunction of his main canopy, the parachutist adopted an incorrect technique for deploying the reserve parachute.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 197401452
Occurrence date 01/09/1974
Location Wilton
Report release date 12/09/1975
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Miscellaneous - Other
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Model 182K
Registration VH-KRE
Operation type Sports Aviation
Departure point Wilton
Destination Wilton
Damage Nil