No check flight after maintenance for fatal crash chopper

A helicopter that crashed in Broome killing two people was on its first flight since undergoing a maintenance inspection.

Emergency services at the scene of a helicopter crash in Broome which killed two people including an 12-year-old girl. Picture: Channel 7

The owner of a helicopter that crashed in Broome when its tail rotor fell off shortly after takeoff, had not conducted a check flight in the chopper after an engineering inspection.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has delivered its preliminary report on the July 4 crash that killed owner and pilot Troy Thomas, 40, and passenger Amber Jess, 12, and left two other passengers seriously injured.

The report found in the week before the crash, two pilots who flew the Robinson R44 on two separation occasions experienced vibrations in the tail rotor pedals, likened to “tapping their feet with spoons”.

An engineering inspection was arranged for July 3, involving an examination of the helicopter including the tail rotor assembly.

Electronic equipment was used to measure the dynamic balance of the tail rotor with the readings suggesting no adjustment was needed.

The licensed aircraft engineer and a maintenance pilot also started the helicopter but could not feel any vibration with their hands on the pedals.

However the pilot elected not to fly the chopper within the confined storage area which meant the tail rotor system could not be not assessed for vibration under load.

Late in the day, Mr Thomas was told no vibrations had been detected and the balance of the tail rotor was good.

“The maintenance pilot also relayed an instruction from the engineer to conduct a check flight,” said the report.

The accident flight took place the following afternoon with the owner as the pilot.

ATSB director of transport safety Dr Mike Walker said it was not clear if the pilot experienced any vibrations through the pedals before the crash.

“Nevertheless, the ATSB urges any R44 pilot who experiences unusual vibrations through the tail rotor pedals to land as soon as possible and follow the advice in the pilot’s operating handbook,” Dr Walker said.

The handbook advises that a “change in the sound or vibration of the helicopter may indicate an impending failure of a critical component. If unusual sound or vibration begins in flight, make a safe landing and have the aircraft thoroughly inspected before flight is resumed”.

The investigation into the fatal crash was continuing with particular focus on policies and procedures for maintenance check flights, and the helicopter’s construction, assembly, flight and maintenance history.

A final report was expected to be delivered in the next 12-months.