Injured crew, passengers had to walk for an hour to get help

A man is still in hospital after a helicopter flight in the Top End went horribly wrong, falling 300ft out of the sky. SEE THE EARLY REPORTS

DAYS after a helicopter crash left a man in a serious condition in hospital with multiple injuries, reports are emerging of potential shortcomings in accident preparedness.

The NT News understands the helicopter plummeted to earth last Monday from a height of about 130m after suffering catastrophic engine failure.

Three passengers were taken by CareFlight to the Royal Darwin Hospital and one, a man in his 40s, is still being treated for spinal injuries and multiple fractures.

After the helicopter had crashed back to earth, the injured passengers and crew had to hike for about 90-minutes before they could reach a location where they could be spotted and assistance could be sought.

One of the aspects of the Australian Safety Transport Bureau and WorkSafe investigations is the availability of basic survival equipment on board the helicopter in the event of an accident.

The NT News understands there was no epirb available to signal the accident location to emergency personnel.

There was no fire extinguisher, the NT News understands, and a satellite phone on board the aircraft was not working.

Issues around cabin safety cross checks preceding the flight are also being questioned.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident, which took place near Nathan River Station near Lorella Springs at about 3.30pm Monday.

The 2007 Robinson Helicopter R44 is registered with Coolalinga-based Wellspring Rural Services.

The ATSB summary says the agency is investigating an engine failure or malfunction involving the Robinson R44, registration number VH-KOV.

“During sight seeing operations, the engine ran rough and failed. The pilot conducted an autorotation where the helicopter collided with terrain and was destroyed,” the summary said.

“The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries and one passenger sustained serious injuries.”

The three passengers, one of whom is understood to have been in considerable pain, had to trek through thick bush for more than an hour to get to safety. The passenger still in hospital has spinal injuries and at least seven fractured ribs.

An NT WorkSafe spokesman confirmed the agency had spoken with the two male and one female passengers at Royal Darwin Hospital.

ABST probes chopper crash

TOURISTS on a sightseeing chopper tour over the Limmen National Park were sent plummeting towards the ground.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it was investigating an emergency landing after a Robinson R44 helicopter’s engine ran rough and failed above Lorella Springs.

NT Police said four people were in the chopper when it went down at 5.40pm on Monday.

“The pilot conducted an autorotation where the helicopter collided with terrain and was destroyed,” the ATSB said.

The aviation safety watchdog said one passenger was left with serious injuries, while the pilot and two others sustained only minor injuries.

The ATSB will now investigate the crash, with a report to be published with the safety findings.

“Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken,” it said.

It comes almost three months after a fatal helicopter crash killed Outback Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson and seriously injured 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson.

Both crashes involved the same model of helicopter, a Robinson R44 helicopter, which has been the subject of two other Territory aviation incidents in 2018 and 2015.

Teacher stabbed in eye at Top End primary school

A STUDENT at a Top End primary school has stabbed a staff member in the eye with a pencil, the NT News understands.

The Department of Education confirmed they were aware of “a student incident at Jingili Primary School last week”.

The incident occurred last Wednesday and an internal review is currently underway by the department.

“A staff member was injured and has since received medical treatment. She is being provided with ongoing counselling and wellbeing support,” a spokeswoman for the Department of Education said.

Jingili Primary School. Picture: Floss Adams.

“The school is working with the student’s family and staff member to ensure wrap-around supports are provided.”

NT Police said they haven’t received a report in relation to the incident.

The school was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Injured crew, passengers had to walk for an hour to get help