Risk Lessons from Fatal Helicopter Accident near Mackay, Qld
The tragic loss of a Sea King helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla, during humanitarian operations in earthquake-ravaged Indonesia again highlights the risk such operations pose. Apart from military operations, many people would associate helicopters with community rescue services. They are a familiar sight on the news bulletins and in the air near major cities.
However a news bulletin on 17 October 2003 was particularly distressing. An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bell 407 helicopter flying from Mackay to Hamilton Island crashed into the sea killing all three crewmembers. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB) final report found that 'spatial disorientation of the pilot was likely'. ATSB found that the circumstances of the accident combined most of the risk factors known to be associated with EMS accidents. What can we learn from this?...
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