ABC Helicopter crash near Lake Eyre
 

The ABC helicopter NTV involved in fatal accident.

all thoughts to families.

Helicopter crash near Lake Eyre
 

Reports coming in of a helicopter crash with 3 fatalities just east of Lake Eyre. Crash occured approx 7.30 pm CST and is believed to be an ABC film crew.
It has not been a good week for aviation.

ABC film crew out of Sydney.

Filmed some amazing things of late including comprehensive coverage of QLD floods.

This is a big loss for both the aviation & media communities. Very sad.

Rescue chopper heading out that way just a while ago? Possible survivors?

ABC crew killed in chopper crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The ABC is mourning the loss of three well-known and highly respected figures after veteran journalist Paul Lockyer, pilot Gary Ticehurst and cameraman John Bean died in a helicopter crash in remote South Australia.

The ABC crew's helicopter crashed around 7:30pm yesterday near Lake Eyre in South Australia's north.

The crash was reported by a remote outpost about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree, where the ABC helicopter had been operating.

A rescue helicopter including police investigators was sent to the crash site.
It is not known yet what caused the crash, but there have been reports of bad weather in the area.

Aviation investigators will leave Canberra and Brisbane for the crash site this morning.

Lockyer was one of the ABC's most experienced journalists with an award-winning career spanning more than 40 years locally and internationally.

Ticehurst is a legend among media pilots - he served the ABC for more than 25 years and was well liked by all who flew with him.

Brisbane-based cameraman Bean has worked for the ABC for 20 years across a diverse range of programs in news and entertainment, including international assignments.

I knew Gary well. Still trying to figure out why they were flying at that time of night though - well & truly dark then.

DF.

It was a twin engine IFR helicopter with all the gizmo's on board for doing that media and 24hr reaction news reporting, and flying in most weather - don't see a problem with flying at dark - tho limited navaids around.

Warning - Graphic photo in this article of the end result.

Paul Lockyer among three ABC crew killed in chopper crash at Lake Eyre | Herald Sun

Limited navaids? That is an understatement if there ever was one. No navaids is more like it.

DF.

Hard to see what that would have to do with anything!

One would assume that that chopper would have had a portable GPS at worst and a TSO145 GPS at best. What more would you need?

Dr :8

Looking at the pictures I would suspect a little more height and a little less forward air speed.

EGPWS?......


HD

GPS still works in the outback!

I'm not a crash investigator but it certainly seems like something happened at a high speed. Is it too early to suggest dark night, next to a large lake, lack of towns and visual references... wouldn't be the first time for a chopper, regardless of experience.

Last light from my calc was 6:19pm.

Based on the pictures he appears to fly with a 296/396/495 on the dash.

Reports say 1930 accident

last light 1835

moonrise 2200

no ground lighting for visual reference

high speed shallow descent trajectory indications (speculated) from pic

................

Does anyone know the intended destination?

Sad to see another fatality indeed.

Maybe he flew into a big flock of large waterbirds that now live there.

There was mention somewhere in one of the articles that they were on their way to meet with a boat somewhere down a river or on the edge of the lake. Accident happened not long after speaking with a local tour guide so you could half devise they were looking for a destination.

Terrible tragedy, mechanical failure at altitude for sure. Gary could land a chopper upsidedown on an egg cup if he had to.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/284...x2-700x467.jpg

Don't know about upside down on an egg cup, but I do remember him having a skirmish with the top of a vehicle once & ripping a skid or skids off!

DF.

Thanks XXX, does anyone know if the intent was to conduct an out landing at night and if so was the aircraft fitted with a serviceable nightsun or nodded for use with NVG's and the approvals to use said aids below LSALT?

Before anyone jumps down my throat, there's no malice intended. I'm not speculating or making any assumptions, just curious about any facts about the tragedy.