The engine on a Robinson R44 quit during a flight to a crocodile egg–collecting site in Australia’s Northern Territory, prompting the pilot to release — “above a height that would likely be survivable” — an external long line carrying an egg collector in a sling beneath the helicopter, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) says.
Accident Investigation, Helicopter Safety, News
Unidentified Risks
The ATSB says the R44 operator had not fully addressed the risks of human sling operations before an accident killed a crocodile egg–collector.