[Peetwo]

Update to Hobart tragedy.

Via the ABC online news:

Hobart Airport crash: ATSB examining RotorLift helicopter incident which killed Roger Corbin


Updated 25 minutes ago Wed 8 Nov 2017, 6:54pm
Photo: Emergency personnel near the wreckage of the RotorLift helicopter at Hobart Airport. (Supplied: Luke Bowden/The Mercury)

A 33-year-old pilot remains in a serious but stable condition at Royal Hobart Hospital as aviation authorities continue to investigate a helicopter crash at Hobart Airport that killed flight instructor Roger Corbin.


Photo: Roger Corbin had more than 35 years' experience in the aviation industry. (Supplied: RotorLift)

The airport resumed normal operations this morning following the crash yesterday afternoon near the runway.

Roger Paul Corbin, a 57-year-old flight instructor and owner of RotorLift Aviation, was killed and a male pilot was seriously injured.

The AS350BA Squirrel helicopter VH-BAA was on a training flight when it nosedived into the ground shortly before 5:30pm.

Inspector Natasha Freeman said it remains unclear which of the men was flying the aircraft.

"The circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated, and at this point it is not possible to say who was in control of the dual control aircraft at the time," she said.



Photo: RotorLift helicopters were used for civilian, corporate and government purposes. (Facebook: RotorLift Aviation)

Inspector John Ward said the drop from a height of about 200 metres had a devastating effect.

"It appears to me it's pretty much broken in half, certainly been a write-off. It's come from 200 metres to the ground," he said.

The wreckage of the helicopter, which belongs to charter company RotorLift, has been taken to a secure area.

The crash was witnessed by many people at the terminal and four people, including two ground staff, gave statements.

Hobart Airport was shut down last night after the accident, disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers.

Three inbound flights were diverted to Launceston and the passengers bussed to Hobart.

Three outgoing flights were cancelled. Airport operations returned to normal this morning.

The Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it had sent two investigators to probe the cause of the crash:

"The ATSB is investigating the accident involving a AS350BA Squirrel helicopter, registered VH-BAA, that occurred at Hobart Airport, Tasmania on 7 November.
"The helicopter collided with terrain, fatally injuring one of the two persons on board.
"The ATSB deployed a team of two transport safety investigators to the accident site with expertise that includes aircraft operations, engineering and maintenance. While on site, the team will examine the wreckage, gather any recorded data, and interview witnesses."

The ATSB said it would release a preliminary investigation report "in approximately 30 days".

"A final report into the accident may take up to 12 months to complete. However, should a safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue."

Video: Crews respond after helicopter crash at Hobart airport (ABC News)

RotorLift at forefront of Tasmanian rescues

RotorLift operates the Tasmania Police Rescue Helicopter and has featured in many of the state's major rescue operations.

The company flies about 160 missions each year using the twin-engine Kawasaki BK117 equipped with medical and emergency equipment, enabling it to fly into almost any area in virtually any conditions, day or night.

Photo: RotorLift Aviation offers training courses and scenic flights out of its Hobart base. (Supplied)

Earlier this year, the rescue helicopter plucked father and son John and Stephen Ward to safety, after they were lost in Tasmania's south-west for three nights in near-freezing temperatures and rain.

The rescue helicopter has a state-of-the-art mobile emergency medical room and can manoeuvre within rugged terrain.

It has been involved in searches for missing bushwalkers and ships, air-lifting injured and ill bushwalkers and people living in remote areas, and for evacuating road accident victims.

RotorLift helicopters have also been used in criminal investigations and operations.
The company also offers pilot training courses in a range of helicopters, including night vision goggle courses for pilots and crews.

It offers other services including low-level photography and filming, fruit drying to avoid water damage to crops, frost protection, firefighting, powerline inspections and mapping.

Inspector Ward said the crash would not affect the police force's capacity to respond to emergencies.

"We always have contingency plans in place for these types of things, whether it's something like this or whether it's an illness, and they will be able to maintain core business, daily business, as usual," he said

MTF...P2