Accident Bell 206L-3 Longranger VH-JMM, Monday 14 July 2025
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Date:Monday 14 July 2025
Time:c. 13:50 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic B06 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Bell 206L-3 Longranger
Owner/operator:Nautilus Aviation Heli
Registration: VH-JMM
MSN: 51400
Year of manufacture:1990
Engine model:Allison Gas Turbines 250-C30P
Fatalities:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Minor
Category:Accident
Location:Lake Evella Aerodrome, Gapuwiyak NT, (LEL) -   Australia
Phase: En route
Nature:Calibration/Inspection
Departure airport:Gove Airport, NT
Destination airport:Donydji, NT
Investigating agency: ATSB
Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
During cruise, the helicopter struck a bird which crashed through the windscreen causing fatal injuries to the passenger. The pilot was able to conduct a forced landing at Lake Evella Aerodrome, Gapuwiyak NT, (LEL)

Accident investigation:
  
Investigating agency: ATSB
Report number: AO-2025-039
Status: Preliminary report
Duration:
Download report: Preliminary report

Sources:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-14/nt-police-investigating-fatal-helicopter-incident-in-gapuwiyak/105531216
https://pfes.nt.gov.au/newsroom/2025/fatal-helicopter-incident-gapuwiyak
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2025/report/ao-2025-039

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft

15 January 1994 N86CE Johnston Coca Cola Bottling Co 1 Arcadia, FL sub

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
14-Jul-2025 10:15 gerard57 Added
14-Jul-2025 11:12 Aerossurance Updated [Location, Source, Narrative, ]
14-Jul-2025 12:41 Henry in Oz Updated [Narrative, ]
14-Jul-2025 18:56 ASN Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Location, Nature, Narrative, ]
15-Jul-2025 06:14 ASN Updated
16-Jul-2025 07:17 johnwg Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Location, Nature, Narrative, Category, ]
16-Jul-2025 07:22 ASN Updated
23-Jul-2025 06:52 ASN Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Accident report, ]
23-Jul-2025 06:58 ASN Updated

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