ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 1044
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Friday 2 February 2007 |
| Time: | 16:09 |
| Type: |  Bell 407 |
| Owner/operator: | Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service |
| Registration: | VH-HRT |
| MSN: | 53042 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1996 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 28 km WSW of Warialda, NSW -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ambulance |
| Departure airport: | Tamworth, NSW (TMW/YTSW) |
| Warialda, NSW (YWRL) | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On 2 February 2007, at about 15:30 Eastern Daylight-saving Time, a Bell Helicopter Company model 407 medical helicopter, registered VH-HRT, with a pilot, a crewman, a doctor and a paramedic on board departed Tamworth, NSW enroute to a car accident.
At about 16:10, the pilot broadcast on both the area and common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) radio frequencies that they were inbound to Warialda at 28 km south-west and on descent from 6,500 ft above mean sea level. The pilot later reported that soon after the broadcast, the engine chip detector advisory capsule illuminated on the master caution panel. He reported that approximately 5 seconds later, he heard a loud noise and the helicopter developed a severe high frequency vibration with a complete loss of engine power.
The pilot then broadcast a distress advisory on the area and CTAF frequencies with position, altitude, passenger information and the problem. During the ensuing autorotation emergency landing, the helicopter landed heavily and rolled onto its side. None of the occupants were injured, but the helicopter was destroyed.
The ATSB investigation determined that the engine sustained an in-flight catastrophic failure of the engine accessory gearbox. The failure of the gearbox was determined to be a fracture and separation of a section of the helical torquemeter gear, which resulted in complete loss of engine power.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2007/AAIR/aair200700357.aspx
2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-02-02/rescue-chopper-crashes/2185816
3. http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/1119517/mechanical-failure-likely-cause-of-westpac-chopper-crash/
4. https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20070206X00147&key=1
5. http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24367/aair200700357_001.pdf
6. https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/helicopter-crashes-on-way-to-fatal-car-smash/2007/02/03/1169919540809.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Jan-2008 23:12 | Andrew Whitton | Added |
| 12-May-2008 12:02 | harro | Updated |
| 04-May-2014 18:44 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation