20/03/2018
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
The ATSB final investigation report into the partial engine power loss and ditching of a Robinson R44 helicopter near Hamilton Island, Queensland, demonstrates the value of preparation for an emergency situation such as ditching.
On 8 November 2017, passengers of a scenic flight were given a safety briefing that included advising them to wear their seatbelts and life jackets, which they complied. About 40 minutes into the one-hour flight, the helicopter began to lose engine power. After unsuccessful attempts to increase power, the pilot elected to conduct an autorotation on the water. The pilot activated the emergency flotation system, broadcast a MAYDAY call, and contacted another company pilot in the area.
The pilot landed the helicopter on the water, with the emergency floats deployed, shut down the engine, and applied the rotor brake. The pilot then activated the emergency locator transmitter and instructed passengers to prepare to inflate their life jackets and to prepare to exit the helicopter if necessary. The passengers and the pilot, who were uninjured, were rescued by a crew of a local vessel about an hour later.
The ATSB report highlights that without an emergency floatation system the risk of the helicopter sinking with the occupants on board would have been greater. The combination of the emergency floatation system, the use and availability of life jackets and the pilot’s post-landing actions resulted in a positive outcome with no injuries to those on board. The helicopter later sank and was unable to be recovered.
Read more at: www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/news-items/2018/emergency-ditching-preparation/