ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 120993
Last updated: 24 May 2013
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| Date: | 03-JAN-2011 |
| Time: | 15:30 local |
| Type: |  Robinson R-44 Raven 1 |
| Operator: | Heli-Charters |
| Registration: | VH-HOT |
| C/n / msn: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | In the sea off Cairns, Queensland, close to mouth of Barron River -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | YBCS - Cairns |
| YBCS - Cairns |
On 3 January 2011, at about 1530 Eastern Standard Time a Robinson Company R44 Raven 1 Clipper helicopter, registered VH-HOT, departed Cairns Airport, Queensland for a 30 minute charter . On board the helicopter was the pilot and three non-English speaking passengers. About 25 minutes into the flight, at about 400 ft above sea level, the engine failed and the rotor low rpm horn sounded. The pilot broadcast a Mayday and entered autorotation. During the descent he deployed the inflatable floats, however the right float did not fully inflate.
The pilot stated that at 50 ft above the sea, the helicopter entered an uncommanded 360 degree yaw to the left. The pilot was unable to control the yaw and the helicopter impacted the water heavily and turned onto its right side. The pilot assisted the passengers to egress the helicopter and inflated their life preservers. They were rescued from the water by fishermen in a small boat.
The 34-year-old-pilot, a 40-year-old man, and two women, aged 36 and 46, were taken to Cairns Base Hospital.
Sources:
http://www..gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2011/aair/ao-2011-001.aspx
http://www.helihub.com/2011/01/03/03-jan-11-robinson-r22-cairns-australia/
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/01/04/142805_local-news.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/chopper-crash-off-cairns/story-fn3dxity-1225981200389
http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/438372-chopper-crash-off-cairns.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-Mar-2011 00:24 | Petro | Added |
| 22-Dec-2011 14:23 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Narrative] |
| 22-Dec-2011 14:29 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Aircraft type, Operator, Total occupants, Total fatalities, Other fatalities, Location, Phase, Source, Narrative] |
| 22-Dec-2011 14:34 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Nature, Source, Narrative] |
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