Australian Transport Safety Bureau, May 02, 2018 - The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued an important safety advisory notice following the release of its preliminary report into a fatal accident involving a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter which collided with water north-west of Port Hedland at night on 14 March 2018.
The helicopter, registered VH-ZGA, was attempting to collect a marine pilot from a bulk carrier which had departed Port Hedland. The helicopter was being flown by a pilot, who was recently employed by the operator, under the supervision of a company training and checking pilot.
After a first approach was discontinued, the crew made a second approach to land on board the ship. During this approach the helicopter impacted the water and rolled inverted.
The training and checking pilot managed to release himself from his seat and exit the submerged cockpit. The helicopter floated for a period of time before sinking. Tragically, the pilot was unable to free himself and was fatally injured.
As a result of the initial investigation, the ATSB has contacted all helicopter operators who conduct overwater operations to inform them of the importance of frequent helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) for aircrew and regular passengers has on increasing survivability of a ditching.
The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from the seabed and moved to a secure storage are where it was examined by ATSB Transport Safety Investigators.
The investigation is continuing and a final report is expected to be published during the first quarter of 2019.
The helicopter, registered VH-ZGA, was attempting to collect a marine pilot from a bulk carrier which had departed Port Hedland. The helicopter was being flown by a pilot, who was recently employed by the operator, under the supervision of a company training and checking pilot.
After a first approach was discontinued, the crew made a second approach to land on board the ship. During this approach the helicopter impacted the water and rolled inverted.
The training and checking pilot managed to release himself from his seat and exit the submerged cockpit. The helicopter floated for a period of time before sinking. Tragically, the pilot was unable to free himself and was fatally injured.
As a result of the initial investigation, the ATSB has contacted all helicopter operators who conduct overwater operations to inform them of the importance of frequent helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) for aircrew and regular passengers has on increasing survivability of a ditching.
The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from the seabed and moved to a secure storage are where it was examined by ATSB Transport Safety Investigators.
The investigation is continuing and a final report is expected to be published during the first quarter of 2019.
EC135P2+ VH-ZGA ( Mackay Helicopters )
See also |
Eurocopter EC135
Helicopters Accident Reports 
