Tail rotor sheared off in fatal Broome helicopter crash

The Broome crash which killed the pilot and a 12 year old girl was due to the entire tail rotor coming off moments after takeoff.

Broome fatal chopper crash report has revealed the helicopter's tail fell off soon after takeoff. Picture: ATSB

The horrific helicopter crash at Broome in Western Australia that claimed the lives of the pilot and a 12-year-old girl, was the result of the entire tail rotor falling off moments after takeoff.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has taken the unusual step of providing an early explanation for the crash that occurred on Sunday July 4.

Two others on board, a woman in her 20s and another 12-year-old girl, suffered serious injuries.

An update issued by the ATSB said CCTV footage and examination of the wreckage had shown that the helicopter’s tail rotor gearbox, tail rotor and tail assembly separated from the chopper, soon after it became airborne.

The R44 helicopter then fell to the ground out of control.

“We appreciate that this information may be confronting to the families and friends affected by this tragic accident, and it is for this reason that the ATSB will not be releasing the CCTV footage due to its potentially distressing nature,” said ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood.

Although the reason for the in-flight break-up was unknown, the ATSB issued a warning to R44 pilots who experienced unusual vibrations through the tail rotor pedals, to land as soon as possible.

That followed information provided by a pilot who flew the accident aircraft two days before the crash, who reported feeling unusual vibrations through the tail rotor pedals.

In response to his report, maintenance personnel conducted a dynamic tail rotor balance the day before the accident.

“At this stage the significance of the reported vibrations through the tail rotor pedals are not known and the ATSB will provide further advice when relevant information is available,” said Mr Hood.

The helicopter involved was only two years old and had undergone a periodic inspection on June 4, after amassing 286.9 hours of service.

The pilot who lost his life in the crash, Troy Thomas, was flying the helicopter as a private operator.

The 40-year-old was remembered as an “inspiring husband, father, brother, son and friend” who was well known in the local community.

There are currently 588 R44 helicopters on Australia’s civil aircraft register.

A final report on the crash is expected by the end of September 2021.