Helicopter Crash Claims Life of Prominent Queensland Grazier

In a tragic incident on a central Queensland property, grazier Alan Acton lost his life after crashing his helicopter into a power line. The accident occurred in April on the Bingegang property near Rockhampton while Mr. Acton was mustering cattle. Despite immediate efforts by ground workers, they were unable to rescue him due to the intense fire that engulfed the wreckage.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB), after a thorough investigation spanning seven months, recently released its findings regarding the fatal crash. According to the ATSB, it is likely that Mr. Acton lost sight of the power line due to the presence of trees and uneven terrain. The investigation utilized a drone to recreate the approximate flight path and height of the helicopter, revealing that the power line was obscured by trees and difficult to distinguish from the background.

The power line, standing at a height of nearly 6 meters, lacked safety markers that would have enhanced its visibility. The ATSB clarified that there was no requirement for safety markers on the property. Additionally, the Robinson R44 helicopter, being of a smaller size, was not equipped with wire strike protection equipment, including a cutter that serves as the last line of defense against power line collisions.

The ATSB report 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. Furthermore, the task of visually scanning for separated cattle could have been a potential distraction.”

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards posed by power lines during low-level mustering operations. The ATSB strongly urges all pilots engaged in low-level operations to familiarize themselves with their educational publication titled “Wirestrikes involving known wires: A manageable aerial agriculture hazard on wire strikes”. The report also emphasizes that helicopters used in low-level operations can be equipped with power line strike protection, including wire cutters. However, this technology is currently unavailable for smaller helicopters like the Robinson R44.

In light of this incident, the ATSB also calls upon property owners to collaborate with power and telecommunications companies to identify and mark powerlines that pose a hazard. Some companies offer schemes to reduce the costs associated with such safety measures.