Investigation number
198700732
Occurrence date
Location
Mountain Valley Station
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

The pilot was approaching the rear of a herd of cattle when he attempted to climb the aircraft. As he raised the collective control the engine RPM started to decrease. There was no suitable landing site below the helicopter so the pilot was forced to manoeuvre the aircraft around several trees to get to a suitable landing area. As he flared the aircraft for a landing the tail rotor contacted the ground and the main rotor severed the trunks of a tree and two saplings. The helicopter yawed to the left and slid sideways collapsing the left landing skid. The throttle control shaft output assembly, within the throttle control cambox had become dislodged, depriving the pilot of throttle control. The resultant freeplay within the throttle control system allowed the throttle butterfly to return to the idle position. The bearings and sleeves within the cambox are secured at manufacture by roll staking, which is considered to be the superior method for securing these components. However, the manufacturers maintenance instructions makes no mention of the method of securing the bearings and sleeves in the cambox. These components in the subject aircraft had been overhauled and were retained by the use of adhesive, which subsequently failed.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Bell Helicopter Co
Model
47
Registration
VH-SJI
Serial number
6632
Operation type
Aerial Work
Sector
Helicopter
Departure point
Mountain Valley Station NT
Departure time
1400
Destination
Mountain Valley Station NT
Damage
Substantial