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March 21, 2018 · Eurocopter EC120 B · VH-WII

Hardy Reef, Queensland, AU

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 2018
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Hardy Reef, Queensland, AU
Aircraft
Eurocopter EC120 B
Tail Number
VH-WII
Operator
Whitsunday Air Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18WA110

On March 21, 2018, about 1500 local time, a Eurocopter (Airbus Helicopters) EC120B helicopter, VH-WII, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water during an aborted landing attempt on a floating helicopter landing site (HLS) located between Hardy Reef and Hook Reef, in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia. The helicopter was operated by Whitsunday Air Services Pty Ltd, and had departed Hamilton Island Airport, Queensland, on a charter flight to the HLS. The commercial pilot was uninjured, two passengers received minor injuries, and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) P.O. Box 967, Civic Square Canberra A.C.T. 2608 Australia Tel: +612 6274 6054 Fax: +612 6274 6434 www.atsb.gov.au

Full Narrative

On March 21, 2018, about 1500 local time, a Eurocopter (Airbus Helicopters) EC120B helicopter, VH-WII, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water during an aborted landing attempt on a floating helicopter landing site (HLS) located between Hardy Reef and Hook Reef, in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia. The helicopter was operated by Whitsunday Air Services Pty Ltd, and had departed Hamilton Island Airport, Queensland, on a charter flight to the HLS. The commercial pilot was uninjured, two passengers received minor injuries, and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) P.O. Box 967, Civic Square Canberra A.C.T. 2608 Australia Tel: +612 6274 6054 Fax: +612 6274 6434 www.atsb.gov.au

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00
Nearest Airport0nm
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter EC120 B
Tail NumberVH-WII
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWhitsunday Air Services
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Amus 2F · Turboshaft
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total5

Conditions

WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data