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Australian Transport Safety Bureau releases report into Robinson R22 crash that killed Roger Nowland

Authorities have released an initial report into a Robinson R22 helicopter crash that killed a well-respected veteran pilot during a routine Top End mustering operation.

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Initial findings from an investigation into a crash that killed veteran Territory helicopter pilot Roger Nowland have revealed he died shortly after refuelling the aircraft.

The experienced pilot died as a result of his injuries after his Robinson R22 helicopter crashed during a routine mustering operation at Limbunya Station on June 27.

According to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau preliminary report released on Thursday, it was a second pilot, also in a Robinson R22, who discovered the crash site.

Both pilots were conducting aerial work after having started their work at 7am that day, with the first setting down to refuel about 9.30am.

Mr Nowland informed his colleagues he had set down to refuel about 9.45am, however neither the first pilot nor the head musterer had heard from him between then and 10am.

Helicopter pilot Roger Nowland died when his chopper went down over a remote cattle station in June.
Helicopter pilot Roger Nowland died when his chopper went down over a remote cattle station in June.

The first helicopter pilot discovered the wreckage of Mr Nowland’s aircraft at 10.15am, finding the helicopter to be destroyed and Mr Nowland to have received fatal injuries.

ATSB director of transport safety Kerri Hughes said investigators had been deployed to investigate both the accident site and wreckage.

“As well as on-site work, the investigation has so far included the collection of meteorological data and pilot and aircraft records,” she said.

“Investigators have also conducted interviews and liaised with the Northern Territory Police Force.

“Electronic data from the accident pilot’s mobile phone, the aircraft’s maintenance history and any similar occurrences will also be reviewed.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.”

Mr Nowland was a well-respected pilot in the industry with members of the Top End mustering community and NT Cattlemen’s Association expressing their sadness at his death.

The station is about 550km south of Darwin and is close to the West Australian border.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/australian-transport-safety-bureau-releases-report-into-robinson-r22-crash-that-killed-roger-nowland/news-story/41677c51dd2c90580838c8011bb7ca56