Directors charged in Oz R22 crash
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Directors charged in Oz R22 crash
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-...crash/12960094
Posted 2ddays ago
An investigation into the crash found the pilot had a 0.14 blood alcohol concentration level at the time of the crash.(Supplied: Australian Transport Safety Bureau)
Two of Hewitt Cattle Australia's directors have been charged by NT Worksafe over a helicopter crash at Ambalindum Station in Central Australia that killed one employee and seriously injured another.
An Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into the November 2018 incident found the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.14 at the time of the crash and the Robinson R22 helicopter was likely overloaded.
The pilot died in the crash and the man injured was the company's 24-year-old head stockman.
The ATSB investigation concluded the likely cause of the crash was that the helicopter encountered turbulence while being flown unnecessarily low, with insufficient height to recover.
NT WorkSafe senior director Bill Esteves said aerial mustering and low-level flying could be very hazardous.
"This, coupled with the additional hazards of intoxication, overloading and poor weight distribution, increases the risk of a crash to extreme levels," Mr Esteves said.
Hewitt Cattle Australia pilot Campbell Taylor died in a crash in 2018.(Supplied: Facebook)Mr Esteves said company directors from Hewitt Cattle Australia had failed to "demonstrate a high standard of due diligence in workplace safety".
"We allege the company directors failed to comply with their duty to verify the company had and used appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise the risk," he said.
Hewitt Cattle Australia issued a statement confirming their two directors had been charged in connection with a workplace incident in 2018.
"Hewitt Cattle Australia and its directors are committed to providing a safe working environment for team members, contractors and visitors, and take their safety obligations very seriously," the statement read.
"As this matter is now before the court, it would not be appropriate for the company to make further comment."
The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs Local Court on December 16.
NT Worksafe charges cattle company directors over 2018 fatal helicopter crash in Central Australia
By Chelsea HeaneyPosted 2ddays ago
An investigation into the crash found the pilot had a 0.14 blood alcohol concentration level at the time of the crash.(Supplied: Australian Transport Safety Bureau)Two of Hewitt Cattle Australia's directors have been charged by NT Worksafe over a helicopter crash at Ambalindum Station in Central Australia that killed one employee and seriously injured another.
Key points:
- The crash killed 47-year-old pilot Campbell Taylor and seriously injured the 24-year-old passenger
- NT Worksafe has charged two company directors for failing to provide adequate workplace safety
- An Australian Transport and Safety Bureau investigation found alcohol and hazardous flying caused the crash
An Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into the November 2018 incident found the pilot had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.14 at the time of the crash and the Robinson R22 helicopter was likely overloaded.
The pilot died in the crash and the man injured was the company's 24-year-old head stockman.
The ATSB investigation concluded the likely cause of the crash was that the helicopter encountered turbulence while being flown unnecessarily low, with insufficient height to recover.
NT WorkSafe senior director Bill Esteves said aerial mustering and low-level flying could be very hazardous.
"This, coupled with the additional hazards of intoxication, overloading and poor weight distribution, increases the risk of a crash to extreme levels," Mr Esteves said.
Hewitt Cattle Australia pilot Campbell Taylor died in a crash in 2018.(Supplied: Facebook)Mr Esteves said company directors from Hewitt Cattle Australia had failed to "demonstrate a high standard of due diligence in workplace safety"."We allege the company directors failed to comply with their duty to verify the company had and used appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise the risk," he said.
Hewitt Cattle Australia issued a statement confirming their two directors had been charged in connection with a workplace incident in 2018.
"Hewitt Cattle Australia and its directors are committed to providing a safe working environment for team members, contractors and visitors, and take their safety obligations very seriously," the statement read.
"As this matter is now before the court, it would not be appropriate for the company to make further comment."
The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs Local Court on December 16.
