ATSB finds ‘proficiency check’ the difference in NT helicopter crash
A helicopter pilot who walked away from a wild crash has been commended, with a government report claiming a decision they made before take off was the difference.
A helicopter pilot who walked away from a wild crash has been commended, with a government report claiming a decision they made before take off was the difference.
The near miss occurred in July 2025, when two helicopters were being used to muster cattle on a property 58 kms northwest of Anthony Lagoon.
One of the pilots was working an animal towards a holding yard when the animal suddenly baulked and turned away from the desired direction.
When the pilot attempted to stop the animal, a mid-air incident occurred resulting in the tail rotor striking the turn and the pilot losing control.
While the helicopter ultimately crashed, the pilot managed to escape without injury.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has now completed a report into the accident, shedding light on how the carnage unfolded.
“With limited time to react, the pilot attempted to stop the animal changing direction but, with a tailwind present, did not anticipate the additional power required to flare the helicopter,” ATSB Director of Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.
It was also found the pilot applied the correct tail rotor failure technique exactly as they were supposed to.
The report has credited the pilot’s professionalism in making the best of a bad situation.
“The pilot had recently conducted a proficiency check which included simulated tail rotor failures,” Dr Godley said.
“This likely allowed them to react quickly, and correctly apply the emergency technique, avoiding a more serious accident.”
Aerial mustering remains a popular activity in the Northern Territory.
The method also comes with risk.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority found that between 2014 and 2023, a total of 90 accidents and incidents occurred nationwide involving aerial mustering.
Seven fatalities were reported.
“Aerial mustering is a high-risk activity involving low flying, often near obstacles, powerlines and stock,” Dr Godley concluded.
“This accident highlights the benefit of recent emergency training, which in this case likely helped the pilot to react to the tail rotor failure with the correct technique before the helicopter became uncontrollable.”
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