Helicopter Incident

Unfortunately we had a Helicopter go down about 100 nautical miles from the station on Sunday the 2nd of December at 9.00pm local time. There was 2 x Heli's out on a scientific expedition to study an Emperor Penguin colony on the Amery shelf.

It is AAD policy that 2 x Heli's fly together at all times in case of an emergency so the 2nd heli can be utilised in a SAR situation.

The weather was fine with some high cloud and clear skies, all in a matter of minutes, the weather took a turn for the worst and they both decided to turn around and head back to the station. The heli in front radioed to the 2nd heli he was going to bank to the right, it was agreed and as he banked they flew straight into the ground. The probable cause at this point is poor definition of the ground due to the white out.

There was 2 x passengers an FTO (Field training officer), a scientist and a pilot on board, the second heli landed, it was crewed by one pilot and an FTO. After landing the 2nd heli, they were able to assist all injured parties, 2 x which had been thrown from the wreckage on impact and the other, the scientist who was still trapped inside the cabin.

The mayday call was received on station at around 9.10pm Sunday night, immediately a Bassler aircraft with the doctor and lay medical team were assembled and set off to the site it took approx: 1.5hrs until the plane was immobilised and on it's way, a pretty impressive response time for Antarctica. The Chinese and German's both offering assistance both ground and air support.

It searched the immediate area for suitable landing site to no avail, the accident had occurred in a well known creviced area, and the weather was still poor, with visibility low. After discussions with the on site party, who were warm and comfortable for the time being, it was decided that they would return to station and attempt a retrieval the next day.

The next day saw the weather still hadn't lifted, forecast was for clearing skies around mid morning. True to forecast the weather cleared and allowed a rescue to take place, this was undertaken with true professionalism and all involved on the station in some way from weather forecasting to carrying patients from the planes to waiting hags and into the medical facility here on the station.

The Doc and her lay medical staff had 24 hour watch over the patients until they were stabilised enough to be sent to Casey for evacuation to Hobart which took place on Wednesday last week.

All involved in the accident are expected to make a full recovery.