Accident Robinson R22 Beta VH-IBE, Tuesday 24 April 1990

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Date:	Tuesday 24 April 1990
Time:	11:05
Type:	Robinson R22 Beta
Owner/operator:
Registration:	VH-IBE
MSN:	1033
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-J2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Birrimba Station, NT - Australia
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	Birrimba Station, NT
Destination airport:	Birrimba Station, NT
Investigating agency:	BASI
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The aircraft was being used to muster cattle from a paddock to a lane, when one of the animals stopped and the pilot manoeuvred the helicopter towards it. This required a down-wind hover in gusty wind conditions and a high air temperature. As it was in an open field, the pilot did not consider it a difficult operation. During this operation, the pilot realised he had applied full anti-torque pedal and was over-pitching the main rotor. He lowered the pitch control but the tail of the aircraft collided with a nearby dead tree, severing the tail rotor blades. The main rotor blades then struck the tree and the aircraft landed heavily, bending the skids.

Accident investigation: