ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 222
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| Date: | Wednesday 22 September 1993 |
| Time: | 09:37 |
| Type: |  Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III |
| Owner/operator: | Anderson Helicopters |
| Registration: | VH-FUX |
| MSN: | 2665 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1979 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 4 km SSW Mount Hotham, VIC -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Hotham Heights, Victoria |
| Moorabbin, Melbourne (MBW/YMMB) | |
| Investigating agency: | BASI |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Helicopter took off from Mount Hotham Ski Resort and was heading towards Moorabbin Airport (YMMB). It was carrying 2 executives from the Toohey's Brewing Company and the pilot Andy Anderson. The ATSB accident investigation determined that the probable cause was engine flamed out and the aircraft crashed into dense mountainous terrain. The passengers died on impact and the pilot died some time later from hypothermia and/or injuries sustained in the crash.
The helicopter wreckage was not located until 12:45 next day (23 September) after a prolonged search. The accident site was on a steep, snow covered, timbered slope in mountainous, alpine terrain about 1,300 ft lower than Hotham Heights
ATSB Conclusions:
1. The pilot parked the helicopter outdoors and did not fit it with engine intake covers.
2. The helicopter was exposed to blowing snow and freezing conditions overnight. The pilot may not have inspected the plenum chamber for snow or water accumulation before takeoff
3. The engine anti-ice switch was found in the on position.
4. The helicopter was not fitted with the optional engine auto-reignition system. An engine flameout occurred at a low height over terrain unsuitable for a forced landing
5. The ELT fitted to the helicopter was damaged during the impact and could not transmit a distress signal.
6. The pilot survived the initial crash impact but died from injuries and/or hypothermia before the helicopter was located
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1993/aair/aair199302930.aspx
2. http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/accidentdetails.aspx?accidentkey=50770
3. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1993/AAIR/pdf/ASOR199302930.PDF
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Jan-2008 10:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 08-Dec-2008 04:10 | casa_223 | Updated |
| 14-Mar-2009 04:56 | woftam | Updated |
| 13-Apr-2009 15:04 | nitroglycol | Updated |
| 27-Apr-2014 19:20 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 10-Jun-2022 03:06 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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