# NTSB WPR10WA080: Bell 206, Dorrigo, Australia, Australia, December 9, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: December 9, 2009, 12:25 UTC, 12:25 local
- Place: Dorrigo, Australia, Australia
- Coordinates: -30.366666, 152.733337 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: N/A
- Report: December 14, 2009
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10WA080
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75161/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75161
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10WA080

## Factual narrative

On December 9, 2009, at 1225 universal coordinated time a Bell 206 L-1, VH-MJO, operated by Commercial Helicopters Pty Ltd. collided with the terrain during takeoff near Dorrigo, Australia. The flight was for the purpose of performing an aerial survey. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured and a crew member was killed. The flight was departing at the time. 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

## Sequence of events

- Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)  (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: VH-MJO (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 (L1)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45745
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C20 435 lbs thrust
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Non-U.S., commercial
- Operator: Commercial Helicopters Pty Ltd
- Departed: Dorrigo, Australia
- Destination: Dorrigo, Australia

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Docket (1 files)

On NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75161

- DMS Docket Item (.PDF, 1 pages, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=DMS%20Docket%20Item-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.