Investigation number
199402329
Occurrence date
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Wirestrike
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

Before spraying a field cultivated with tomatoes, the pilot made a ground inspection to note the position of powerlines and other obstacles. Not long before departing on the spraying job, he was asked to spray an additional block in the same vicinity. He completed spraying the first paddock without incident and moved onto the next block where he conducted an aerial inspection for obstacles. He noted that the same powerline crossed this block as well as the previous cultivation. He did not notice that one of the three wires was hanging lower than the other two. During his last spray run, which co-incided with the centre of a span, the helicopter collided with the lower wire and plunged into the ground.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Model
47G3B-KH4
Registration
VH-HFZ
Sector
Helicopter
Departure point
Strip 18km S Bowen QLD
Destination
Strip 18km S Bowen QLD
Damage
Substantial