Non-fatal Accident (1) – Robinson R44 Clipper II, VH-MGR, 1.7 km 162 degrees from Innisfail Aerodrome (IFL/YIFL), QLD, Australia, January 09, 2025
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
AviationSafetyX Report:
On the morning of Thursday, January 9, 2025, at approximately 05:30 local time, a Robinson R44 Clipper II helicopter, registered VH-MGR and operated by Country Mile Helicopters, experienced an engine failure during aerial application operations near Innisfail Aerodrome (IFL/YIFL) in Queensland, Australia. The helicopter was performing agricultural activities when the engine failure occurred, prompting the pilot to execute a forced landing approximately 1.7 kilometers southeast of the aerodrome, at a bearing of 162 degrees, in a banana grove.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant, survived the incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage as a result of the forced landing. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the accident, and initial data confirms the occurrence of an engine failure leading to the forced landing. No additional injuries or fatalities were reported, and no environmental impact has been noted.
Aircraft Operator:
Country Mile Helicopters
Video(s):
(non-accident) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15eCHi5Cpq/
Accident Location:
1.7 km 162 degrees from Innisfail Aerodrome (IFL/YIFL), QLD, Australia
17°34’22.31″S, 146° 1’5.36″E (https://g.co/kgs/4U4ztp4)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/470641
FAA/International Registration:
VH-MGR
https://www.casa.gov.au/search-centre/aircraft-register?reg=MGR
Year of Manufacture:
2004
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
10312
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Country-Mile-Helicopters-100057266965731/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
n/a
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHMGR
flightradar24:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-mgr
AirNav.radar:
https://www.airnavradar.com/data/registration/VH-MGR
National Report(s):
n/a
Image Reference(s):
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9591070
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9107865
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/c93b7fcf6b4b3561d98a4d9b29bb5662?width=320
https://www.facebook.com/p/Country-Mile-Helicopters-100057266965731/
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