Incident
On May 20, 2010, at approximately 0415 Universal Coordinated Time, a Bell 206 L-3 helicopter, registered VH-OSU, was engaged in crop spraying operations. While flying near the Latrobe Valley Aerodrome in Traralgon, Australia, the helicopter struck a power line and subsequently collided with terrain. The helicopter was destroyed. The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was killed.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was a Bell 206 L-3, operated by a pilot from New Zealand. The aircraft was conducting agricultural spraying at the time of the accident. The departure and destination airports for the flight have not been specified. Meteorological conditions at the time of the occurrence were not reported.
Investigation
The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB), headquartered in Canberra, Australia, has jurisdiction over the investigation. The ATSB has released initial information but no probable cause has been determined or stated as of this report. Further details may become available as the investigation progresses.