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| Date: | Wednesday 8 October 2025 |
| Time: | 07:20 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 |
| Owner/operator: | Nautilus Aviation |
| Registration: | VH-XSO |
| MSN: | 817 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2000 |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-F1B5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 24km NE off Horn Island, Torres Strait, QLD -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi |
| Departure airport: | Sadies Beach Helipad, QLD (YSBH) |
| Coconut Island Airport, QLD (CNC/YCCT) | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
During cruise, the low rotor horn sounded and the engine failed. The pilot deployed the helicopter's floats and conducted a ditching off Queensland. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged.
Sources:
https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/nautilus-aviation-chopper-ditches-into-ocean-off-horn-island/news-story/0c1a24c0d92b5ab3d69744d0f3a73a40
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2025/report/ao-2025-062
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Oct-2025 06:27 | Averagejoe | Added |
| 09-Oct-2025 06:28 | ASN | Updated [Total fatalities, Location, ] |
| 09-Oct-2025 16:10 | ASN | Updated [Date, Time, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Damage, Narrative, ] |
| 09-Oct-2025 18:52 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Narrative, ] |
| 10-Oct-2025 06:42 | ASN | Updated |
| 10-Oct-2025 06:58 | Pineapple | Updated [Registration, Cn, Source, ] |
| 10-Oct-2025 06:59 | ASN | Updated [Departure airport, ] |
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