ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 726
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| Date: | Sunday 28 September 2003 |
| Time: | 10:00 |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 |
| Owner/operator: | Helimuster Pty Ltd |
| Registration: | VH-UXF |
| MSN: | 0065 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1981 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Yakka Munga Station, 93 km S of Derby, WA -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Yakka Munga Station, WA |
| Yakka Munga Station, WA | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On 28 September 2003, a Robinson Helicopter Company model 22 helicopter (R22) registered VH-UXF was engaged in aerial mustering operations with another R22 helicopter registered VH-AOP.
The helicopters were operating in an area near Yakka Munga Station, 93 km south of Derby, Western Australia. The pilot of VH-UXF returned from a refuelling stop, and had been in the mustering area for about 30 minutes when, at 9:35 WST, the pilot of VH-AOP noted that he had not heard any radio transmissions from the pilot for about 10 minutes. He commenced a search and soon after, located VH-UXF at the edge of a claypan.
The pilot landed close to VH-UXF in order to assist the two occupants. After isolating the helicopter's electrical system, he attempted to comfort and provide first aid to them. However, because of the apparent nature and extent of their injuries, he decided to seek medical assistance from Derby.
About 80 minutes later, the pilot returned to the scene of the accident with a doctor from Derby. The doctor determined that, in the intervening period, both occupants of VH-UXF had succumbed to their injuries.
ATSB Conclusions:
1. The A166 clutch shaft failed due to a fatigue crack that initiated from one of the shaft bolt holes
2. A non-approved jointing compound was used during the last assembly of the A166 shaft to A907 yoke.
3. The A166 shaft to A907 yoke bearing blocks were installed over a painted surface during the last assembly.
4. The helicopter was technically unairworthy at the time of the accident.
5. The helicopter was being operated in an overweight condition at the time of the accident.
6. The helicopter impacted the ground heavily in a vertical direction with little forward speed.
7. The stowage of baggage and equipment beneath the seats prevented the seats from deforming to their fullest extent.
8. The fixed ELT activated during the impact, but the external antenna was not
attached to the helicopter at the time of the impact.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2003/aair/aair200304074.aspx
2. https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20031008X01682&key=1
3. http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24409/aair200304074_001.pdf
4. https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/28/1064687664653.html
5. https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/103788-two-die-wa-helicopter-crash.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Jan-2008 10:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 14-Sep-2013 17:24 | plane-trace | Updated [Time, Cn, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Phase, Nature, Damage, Narrative] |
| 09-May-2014 00:36 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, Other fatalities, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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