A helicopter Two people were involved in a crash while riding together. Melbourne mere moments after departing on Thursday, resulting in one individual being hurt.
The event happened at Moorabbin Airport approximately at 2:30 pm local time (4:30 am GMT) when an R44 helicopter departed for what was termed a training mission.
The plane reached an elevation of approximately 750 feet over the airport before descending close to the runway area.
The emergency services successfully extracted both individuals from the crash; they sustained slight injuries. One of them was transported to The Alfred Hospital for additional care, according to officials.
Images taken at the location revealed the wreckage of the helicopter scattered close to the airstrip, featuring a twisted rotor blade and a separated rear part.
Fire Rescue Victoria stated that fuel started leaking from the wreckage right after the incident. crash , increasing the chances of a fire starting.
“Unable to stop the leak, FRV crews laid a blanket of firefighting foam over the spilt fuel and aircraft and isolated power sources to the helicopter to ensure the fuel did not ignite,” the agency said in a statement.
The helicopter's rotor blade was severely bent, and the tail section broke off in the accident.
Victoria Police verified that nobody died and mentioned that the emergency services responded quickly following the accident.
Two individuals were aboard the vessel when an accident occurred, resulting in one person sustaining injuries not deemed life-threatening," stated the police. "Both WorkSafe and ATSB will be informed about this incident.
Data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane had been in the air for just a brief period before it crashed close to the runway.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) mentioned they were alerted about the accident and are currently collecting information to decide if a comprehensive inquiry is necessary. Additionally, WorkSafe has been made aware since this incident involved a training exercise.
The remains of the helicopter stayed close to the runway throughout the evening as officials laboured to seal off the zone and record the event.
The R44 variant is frequently employed in pilot instruction and minor business flying operations. Moorabbin Airport serves as a vital center for aviation education in Victoria.
This accident marks another in a string of recent helicopter mishaps throughout Australia. Ongoing investigations continue into the deadly 2023 Sea World crash in Queensland, where four individuals lost their lives, among them two visitors from Britain.
A year ago, a 23-year-old aviator lost his life when he crashed a helicopter onto the rooftop of a hotel in Queensland. The flight was unauthorized, and the pilot did not have the necessary certifications for nighttime operations, as stated in an ATSB report.
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