NOSE-DOWN IMPACT

FIRST REPORT Chopper crash after ‘simulated failure’

A HELICOPTER was conduct- ing a “simulated failure exer- cise” when it crashed at Hobart t Airport last month, killing hero o rescue pilot Roger Corbin.

The first official report into nto the tragedy reveals Mr Corbin had just announced the simulated failure to the pilot he was instructing when the helicopter, pictured, “slowed into a hi high h hover before commencing an abrupt nose-down attitude and impacting the terrain”.

A HELICOPTER was conducting a “simulated failure exercise” when it crashed at Hobart Airport, killing veteran Rotorlift pilot Roger Corbin last month.

Aviation investigators yesterday released an initial report into the crash, but it is expected to take a year to fully solve.

At the time of the crash, Mr Corbin was instructing pilot John Osborne in a single-engine helicopter.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s preliminary report said about 5.15pm on November 7, the pilots began practising emergency procedures at the airport.

“In particular, we understand that they intended to conduct a simulated hydraulic system failure,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said. “The aircraft slowed into a high hover before commencing an abrupt nose-down attitude and impacting the terrain.”

The report highlighted advice contained in the helicopter flight manual which cautioned pilots “not to attempt to carry out hover flight or any low-speed manoeuvre without hydraulic pressure assistance”.

Mr Corbin reportedly announced the simulated failure to Mr Osborne just prior to starting the final approach, which was captured on airport CCTV.

As the aircraft descended it first appeared to be controlled and in a flatter than normal approach profile.

The helicopter then appeared to slow into a high hover about 30ft (9m) above the ground. Seconds later, it abruptly turned to the left, nose down, and hit the ground, the report said.

Seated on the left side, Mr Corbin, who ran the state’s aerial emergency response service, sustained fatal injuries.

Mr Osborne, seated on the right, managed to escape with injuries that were not life threatening.

Yesterday Mr Corbin’s wife Allana said “given that it’s a preliminary report it would be inappropriate for me to try and make a comment”.

The ATSB will now focus on reviewing the training operations and the helicopter systems, and examining any environmental influences “that may have contributed to this tragic accident”.

“Our view now is that we have a fair bit of work to do to work through the analysis of the evidence that we have gathered to date,” it said.

“The ATSB extends its deepest sympathies to the family, to the friends and the colleagues of the pilot who was killed in this tragic accident at Hobart.”

Mr Corbin was a pivotal figure in Tasmania’s tight-knit aviation community for nearly two decades.