Grazier Alan Acton Dies in Helicopter Crash After Striking Power Line

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Scanning for Stragglers: Tragic Helicopter Crash in Central Queensland Reveals Dangers of Powerlines

In a devastating incident that occurred on his central Queensland property, grazier Alan Acton lost his life when his helicopter crashed after hitting a power line. The incident took place on the Bingegang property near Rockhampton in April, when Acton, 65, radioed for workers on the ground to assist with cattle mustering. However, when the workers arrived at the scene, they were met with a plume of smoke and discovered the fiery wreckage. Despite their efforts, they were unable to rescue Acton, who was trapped inside the Robinson R44 helicopter due to the intensity of the fire.

An investigation conducted by the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) has now shed light on the likely cause of the tragic crash. The investigation revealed that Acton may have lost sight or awareness of the powerline due to the presence of trees and difficult terrain. Although Acton was familiar with the property and the weather was clear at the time, the powerline was challenging to distinguish from the background and was partially obscured by trees and terrain on the left side.

The powerline, which was almost 6m off the ground, lacked any safety markers that could have made it more visible. The ATSB clarified that there was no requirement for safety markers on the property, which further contributed to the accident. Additionally, the Robinson R44 helicopter could not be fitted with wire strike protection equipment due to its small size. Wire strike protection equipment, which includes a cutter, is considered the last line of defense for helicopters in the event of powerline collision.

The investigation findings stated, “The wire…would have been very difficult to see from the air as it was partially obscured by large trees… and, combined with the undulating terrain, deprived the pilot of critical visual cues.” It also emphasized that Acton’s task of visually scanning for separated cattle could have potentially distracted him from spotting the powerline. It is highly likely that Acton lost awareness of the wire during the flight and did not see it in time to avoid the collision.

The ATSB’s report serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by powerlines during low-level mustering. They have urged all pilots engaged in low-level operations to read their educational publication on wirestrikes involving known wires, which highlights the manageable aerial agriculture hazard of wire strikes. The ATSB also emphasized that helicopters involved in low-level operations can be equipped with power line strike protection, such as wire cutters. However, this technology is currently not available for smaller helicopters like the Robinson R44.

Furthermore, the ATSB has called upon property owners to collaborate with power and telecommunications companies to mark powerlines that pose a hazard. Some companies even offer schemes to reduce the costs associated with marking these hazardous powerlines. By taking these precautions, the risk of accidents like the one that claimed Alan Acton’s life can be minimized.

The tragic helicopter crash serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety measures and awareness when operating aircraft near powerlines. The loss of Alan Acton has left the central Queensland community in mourning, and his death should serve as a catalyst for increased caution and preventative measures in the future..