ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 186196
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| Date: | Thursday 7 April 2016 |
| Time: | 19:35 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 Beta |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | VH-YLY |
| MSN: | 4491 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2011 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | off Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation, Shire of Douglas, QLD -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Cooktown, Shire of Cook, QLD |
| Mossman, QLD | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On 7 April 2016, the pilots of two Robinson R22 helicopters flew from Mossman, Queensland to various fishing locations to the north with a passenger in each helicopter. Late in the afternoon, the pilots commenced the direct return flight to Mossman. However, the pilots encountered weather and winds that slowed their progress and required them to refuel at Cooktown.
The pilots departed Cooktown at last light intending to track via the coast to Mossman. As the flights progressed, the light available from the sun continued to decrease and there was no moon. There were also patches of cloud and rain in the general area.
Shortly after passing Cape Tribulation, in dark night conditions, one of the helicopters, registered VH-YLY (YLY), collided with the sea. The passenger was injured in the accident but was able to reach the shore and notify emergency services. Unaware of the accident, the occupants of the other helicopter continued to Mossman.
A search was initiated and the missing helicopter was located on 9 April 2016 in about 400 m offshore in about 10 m of water. The pilot was not located.
Contributing factor:
The pilot of YLY, who was only qualified to operate in day-VFR conditions, departed on a night flight and continued towards the destination in deteriorating visibility until inadvertently allowing the helicopter to descend into water.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. ATSB: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-031/
2. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/man-missing-after-helicopter-crash-off-cairns/news-story/9b223352745d95764ba63136a674bf5e
3. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-08/helicopter-crash-search-pilot-cape-tribulation-queensland/7309450
4. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/pilot-missing-after-queensland-helicopter-crash-20160407-go1a7l.html
5. http://www.regosearch.com/aircraft/au/YLY
6. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-08/helicopter-pilot-missing-crash-passenger-swims-to-raise-alarm/7309450
7. http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/police-continue-search-for-helicopter-pilot-missing-after-crash-off-cape-tribulation/news-story/14aab4175fec1a49ad10c43bbf6ea3a7
8. https://www.helis.com/database/cn/44176/
9. https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register?search_api_views_fulltext=&vh=YLY&field_ar_serial=
10. http://www.16right.com/registers/aus?Mark=YLY&Rhname=&Type=R22&submit=SEARCH
Images:
Photo:ATSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Apr-2016 13:53 | gerard57 | Added |
| 07-Apr-2016 15:19 | CTYONE | Updated [Aircraft type] |
| 07-Apr-2016 22:28 | Geno | Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 08-Apr-2016 06:38 | Anon. | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Source] |
| 08-Apr-2016 11:43 | Kardz | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 11-Apr-2016 06:46 | Kardz | Updated [Total fatalities, Source, Narrative] |
| 18-Oct-2016 22:56 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative] |
| 18-Oct-2016 22:58 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Operator] |
| 18-Dec-2017 07:01 | harro | Updated [Time, Operator, Destination airport, Narrative, Photo, ] |
| 15-Aug-2018 20:57 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Operator, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source] |
| 28-Mar-2019 20:57 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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