Charges laid over fatal Central Australian cattle station chopper crash

TWO company directors have been charged over a helicopter crash in Central Australia which killed one worker and seriously injured another

Two company directors have been charged after a fatal helicopter crash at Ambalindum Station

• Ambalindum Station owners Hewitt Cattle fined $30,000 after workers were injured
• Man dead in helicopter crash near Alice Springs

TWO company directors have been charged over a helicopter crash in Central Australia which killed one worker and seriously injured another.

NT WorkSafe has charged the two directors from Queensland-based Hewitt Cattle Australia Pty Ltd’s (Hewitt Cattle Australia) with two breaches of s 32 and two breaches of s 33 of NTs WHS laws for failing to comply with their duty to exercise due diligence under s 27 of the WHS Act (Duty of officers).

The crash at Ambalindum Station in 2018 claimed the life of 47-year-old pilot Campbell Taylor and seriously injured the 24-year-old passenger, who was employed as the station’s Head Stockman.

Hewitt Cattle Australia, in a statement, confirmed two directors had been charged in relation to the matter.

“Hewitt Cattle Australia and its directors are committed to providing a safe working environment for team members, contractors and visitors, and take their safety obligations very seriously.”

“As this matter is now before the Court, it would not be appropriate for the Company to make

further comment.”

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The investigation found alcohol in the helicopter at the crash scene and alcohol in the pilot’s room at Ambalindum Station.

The toxicology report showed the presence of alcohol at the time of the pilot’s death.

Also contributing to the fatal crash was the load weight and weight distribution of the helicopter.

NT WorkSafe senior director Bill Esteves said aerial mustering had several hazards, such as very low level flying, high workload, negative effects from weather, obstacles such as power lines, trees, and terrain, pilot distraction, and small power margins.

“This coupled with the additional hazards of intoxication, overloading and poor weight distribution increases the risk of a crash to extreme levels,” Mr Esteves said.

“Company directors must demonstrate a high standard of due diligence in workplace safety.

“They must ensure that the resources and systems of their businesses minimise risk to health and safety.

“We allege the company directors failed to comply with their duty to verify the company had and used appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise the risk.”

The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs Local Court on December 16, 2020.

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The company directors each face a maximum penalty of $400,000 if found guilty.

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