What happened
During a late-night period, a pilot conducted an unauthorised flight in a Robinson R44 helicopter. The flight was an unapproved and unnecessary operation, during which the pilot flew at altitudes significantly below the 1,000 ft minimum required for traversing built-up areas. During the flight, the aircraft collided with a building. The pilot, who was a member of the operator's ground crew, used their authorised access to the aircraft at Cairns Airport to initiate the flight. Evidence suggests an attempt was made to avoid detection by air traffic control and airport personnel, as the aircraft's strobe lights were turned off during departure.
The investigation
The ATSB examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and determined that there were no airworthiness issues with the Robinson R44 that contributed to the accident. The investigation focused on the pilot's actions and the regulatory breaches involved. While the pilot held a commercial helicopter pilot licence and possessed experience with this specific aircraft model, they lacked the necessary night flying endorsements and had no prior experience operating the Robinson R44 at night. Furthermore, the pilot was not authorised to operate the operator's helicopters.
Findings
- The pilot was under the influence of a significant amount of alcohol both before and during the operation.
- The pilot operated the aircraft at low altitudes over a built-up area, increasing risk to people on the ground.
- The pilot utilised their position as ground crew to gain unauthorised access to the aircraft at Cairns Airport.
- The pilot's actions and the decision to fly while intoxicated and without night ratings were the primary drivers of the collision.