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The ATSB has praised a helicopter pilot who identified a safe place to land while encountering engine issues flying over rocky terrain in the Northern Territory.
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The Kawasaki KH-4 was operating a scenic flight with two passengers last September, but touched down with no injuries to those onboard.
Following the publication of an investigation into the incident, Stuart Macleod, director of transport safety for the ATSB, said the prompt identification of a suitable landing site was “instrumental” in ensuring a safe forced landing.
The full report reveals how Katherine Helicopters operated KH 4, which was operating a flight on 11 September 2024. The pilot later reported that the engine did not respond to increased throttle, and the helicopter was losing speed and height.
The aircraft – a licensed-built variant of the Bell 47 helicopter powered by a turbocharged Lycoming TVO 435 piston engine – was flying towards the entrance to the Nitmiluk Gorge after departing from Katherine.
During the attempted run on landing, the helicopter struck the ground, damaging its tail rotor assembly and skids.
Despite the substantial damage to the helicopter in the impact, the pilot and passengers were uninjured.
Post-accident inspection identified a large crack in the engine exhaust pipework, which likely resulted in the engine power loss.
“Being a turbocharged engine, the escape of exhaust gases through the crack has likely resulted in the engine power loss during flight due to the loss of boost pressure, resulting in the wastegate remaining closed,” Macleod said.
The ATSB also identified that the pilot could not cushion the landing during termination of the autorotation, likely due to low main rotor RPM, resulting in the helicopter colliding with terrain.
While the pilot’s quick identification of a suitable landing area demonstrated the value of emergency procedure knowledge, the ATSB concluded that the accident highlights the precise positioning and energy maintenance required for a successful autorotation landing.
“Thorough and regular training in emergency procedures is crucial for all pilots,” Macleod said. “This is particularly true for pilots operating over rugged terrain with limited safe emergency landing options.”
