In 2004, there were two wirestrike accidents in New South Wales
involving helicopters undertaking locust control operations. The
first accident occurred in October 2004 near Forbes and resulted in
minor injuries to one occupant and extensive damage to the
helicopter. The second accident occurred in November 2004 near
Dunedoo and resulted in the death of two occupants. A third
occupant was seriously injured and there was extensive damage to
the helicopter. A third accident, near Mudgee in November 2004,
involved a helicopter that was being used for locust control,
although the helicopter was not involved in locust control
activities at the time of the accident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) began formal
investigations into all three accidents and a research
investigation into the practices used by Government organisations
to contract aerial operators for locust control in order to
identify issues that may enhance future aviation safety.