[Peetwo]

Cairns R44 crash Cairns: 'Popinjay to the rescue'!! - 

Courtesy ABC, via YouTube:

Plus from PJ's media minions:

Cairns helicopter accident
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UPDATED 1545: The ATSB has commenced a transport safety investigation into Monday morning’s helicopter accident in Cairns.
At about 0154, the Robinson R44 helicopter collided with a hotel building, and the sole occupant of the helicopter was fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and fire.
A team of three transport safety investigators from the ATSB’s Brisbane office, with experience in aircraft operations and maintenance, arrived in Cairns on late Monday morning to commence the evidence collection phase of the investigation.
The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed or has photos or video footage of the aircraft during any phase of the flight (up to the impact), or heard the helicopter prior to the impact, to make contact via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity.
The ATSB notes the flight has been described as ‘unauthorised’. The ATSB conducts ‘no blame’ transport safety investigations, and does not investigate for the purposes of taking administrative, regulatory or criminal action.
Over the coming days we will seek to determine if this accident was a transport safety matter. 
If the accident is determined not to be a transport safety matter the ATSB may elect to discontinue its investigation, on the basis that an ATSB investigation would be unlikely to determine new safety learnings and issues, and leave further investigation efforts to the police and other appropriate agencies.
If at any time during the course of the investigation we identify a critical safety issue, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so that appropriate safety action can be taken.
Date: 12/08/2024

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Collision with building involving Robinson R44 II, VH-ERH at Cairns, Queensland, on 12 August 2024

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a collision with a building involving a Robinson R44 II, registered VH‑ERH, at Cairns, Queensland, on 12 August 2024.

During a flight at about 0154, the helicopter collided with a hotel building, and the sole occupant was fatally injured. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and a fire.

The ATSB deployed a team of 3 Brisbane-based ATSB transport safety investigators, with experience in aircraft operations and maintenance.

The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed or has photos or video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight (up to the impact), or heard the helicopter prior to the impact, to make contact via the witness form on our website at their earliest opportunity.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

Aircraft Details
Departure point: Cairns Airport
Model: R44 II
Serial number: 12465
Sector: Helicopter
Registration: VH-ERH
Damage: Destroyed
Manufacturer: Robinson Helicopter Co

Hmm...that would have to be a World record for the ATSB Commission issuance of an AO (accident occurrence) investigation number?? Ironically the rush to decide to investigate maybe premature given the circumstances of the accident...

MTF...P2