ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 185780
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: | Monday 21 March 2016 |
| Time: | 12:00 |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 BETA |
| Owner/operator: | Bow Park Pty Ltd |
| Registration: | VH-RGY |
| MSN: | 1445 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1990 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Richmond Airport, Richmond, QLD -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Richmond Airport, Richmond, Queensland (YRMD) |
| Bow Park Station, Queensland | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
The ATSB is investigating a collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22, VH-RGY, at Richmond Airport, Queensland, on 21 March 2016. After engine start, the helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage. The pilot was uninjured. According to the following summary of the official ATSB report into the accident:
"On 21 March 2016, at about 12:00 EST (Eastern Standard Time) the pilot of a Robinson R22 helicopter, registered VH-RGY, prepared to conduct a private ferry flight from Richmond Airport to Bow Park Station, Queensland. The pilot was the only person on board.
As the pilot rolled the throttle on to start the helicopter’s engine, the pilot discovered the adhesive holding the foam cover of the throttle twist grip had deteriorated and become like grease.
After starting the engine, the pilot reported that they looped the bungee cord fitted to the helicopter over the collective control. The pilot then exited the helicopter, leaving the engine running and the rotor blades turning, and walked about 4 metres to the airport fence to retrieve a water bottle. The pilot then heard the helicopter engine RPM increase, and turned and ran back towards the helicopter. The pilot then observed the helicopter rotate away from the direction of the pilot, lift up, into and over the fence and land on its side on the other side of the fence, damaging the fence.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who was outside of the helicopter was uninjured. Pre-flight checks are designed to ensure the helicopter is capable of operating correctly. To ensure safety flight, any discovery of an unservicability should be dealt with before flight. The R22 Pilot’s Operating Handbook Safety Notice 17 includes the following text:
NEVER EXIT HELICOPTER WITH ENGINE RUNNING
Several accidents have occurred when pilots momentarily left their helicopters unattended with the engine running and rotors turning. The collective can creep up, increasing both pitch and throttle, allowing the helicopter to lift off or roll out of control."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-025/
2. http://helihub.com/2016/03/21/21-mar-16-vh-rgy-robinson-r22-richmond-australia/
3. http://www.regosearch.com/aircraft/au/RGY
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Mar-2016 12:20 | Pineapple | Added |
| 18-Oct-2016 22:10 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 09-Jun-2022 11:34 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location] |
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