A Robinson R44 helicopter similar to the aircraft that ditched in the Torres Strait in October. Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk.
The national transport safety investigator has urged organisations sending staff on helicopter trips over water to consider underwater escape training after a chopper crashed into the ocean with two Queensland Government employees on board in the Torres Strait.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the advice as it released its final report into the ditching of the Robinson R44 operated by GBR Helicopters during a flight from Thursday Island (Waiben) to Coconut Island (Poruma) on the morning of 8 October last year.
It comes as the ATSB has been investigating why a Bell LongRanger chopper operated by Fortescue Helicopters lost control at about 91 metres in the air a short time after taking off from Thursday Island (Waiben) on 6 January this year in a separate incident.
Investigators have been examining whether dodgy fuel is to blame.
The ATSB was also considering whether to launch investigations after a privately chartered helicopter “rolled” over during takeoff at Weipa Airport on 27 March.
The 8 October incident involved two Department of Education staff travelling to Coconut Island for work aboard the Robinson R44.
The chopper was about 182 m above sea level when a low rotor RPM horn sounded and the pilot manoeuvred in an attempt to manage a loss of power.
Emergency pop-out floats were deployed and the pilot told the passengers to brace for the ditching of the chopper.
The helicopter hit the water and rolled onto its left side, detaching the left float from the aircraft.
The pilot and rear passenger escaped through the right door while it was above the waterline, but the front-left passenger tried to go through the left door, which was already underwater.
Coconut Island (Poruma) in the Torres Strait. Photo: Tagai State College.
Everyone managed to escape, but the ATSB investigation found the passengers were not versed in helicopter underwater escape training (HUET), despite regularly travelling over water for work.
“HUET is a regulatory requirement for helicopter pilots conducting overwater flight, but not for regular passengers on such flights,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“Other organisations whose employees regularly travel over water in helicopters have arranged HUET for these employees, but this was not the case in this accident.”
The passengers said they fumbled and felt panicked as the helicopter went under the water, which the ATSB said was commonly reported in similar helicopter ditching and rollover scenarios.
“HUET familiarises individuals with a ditching environment and provides them with confidence in their ability to cope with the emergency situation,” Mr Mitchell said.
The chopper ran into trouble after leaving Thursday Island. Photo: Madeina David.
“Organisations whose employees regularly travel over water in helicopters are therefore urged to consider the potential life-saving benefits of this training for their employees.”
The cause of the engine’s power loss could not be determined because the helicopter sank after the accident and could not be recovered.
However, the ATSB made several findings relating to accident survivability.
The pilot made a Mayday call before the crash, which was picked up by the pilot of a nearby helicopter, who diverted to the accident location.
The helicopter’s emergency locator transmitter (ELT) also went off during the incident and its signal was received by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, which launched a rescue response.
“The accident highlighted the importance of an effective Mayday transmission,” Mr Mitchell said.
“But situations requiring a Mayday call are often intense and time-limited, and calculation of an accurate position can be difficult — so the role of the ELT is vital in these types of accidents.”
The ATSB also found GBR Helicopters did not provide pilots with a personal locator beacon (PLB) for overwater flights, which reduced the likelihood of survival in a ditching event.
The operator has since supplied local pilots with transmitters and sea dye to be placed in lifejackets, according to the transport investigator.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Cape York Weekly.
