Bell Helicopter 47G-3B1, VH-BHE, Kumarina, WA, 9 August 1969

The helicopter was being ferried from Perth to Mount Newman by two pilots who were taking turns as
pilot -in -command. After an overnight stay at Meekatharra the flight was resumed and a headwind of
12-15 knots was encountered. At Kumarina the aircraft was refuelled from drums carried in the aircraft
and, in an effort to minimise the headwind component, the pilot flew at an extremely low height, following
part of the old Great Northern Highway. At a point where the old road Joins the new highway, the helicopter
struck a steel bracing wire stretched across the highway between two telephone poles. The aircraft crashed
to the roadway and was destroyed by Impact forces.