- Date
- January 17, 2018
- Place
- Ayers Rock, Australia
- Injuries
- 2 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- VH-HGXRobinson R44
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Lead agency
- Other
- Case key
- 97378
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Factual narrative
On January 17, 2018, at 1800 local time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-HGX, experienced a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The pilot subsequently initiated an autorotation, landed hard and rolled over near Ayres Rock, Australia. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. Two passengers received minor injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations for the government of Australia. 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 www.atsb.gov.au
Aircraft
- Registration
- VH-HGX
- Reported as
- Robinson R44
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0762
- Engine
- Textron Lycoming O-540-F1B5, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage