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Two men have been killed in a helicopter collision at a cattle station in WA’s north.
A pair of Robinson R22 cattle mustering helicopters (similar aircraft pictured) collided shortly after take-off at around 6:20am on Thursday. Both pilots, a 29-year-old and a 30-year-old man, died in the accident at Mt Anderson Station near Camballin, in the Kimberley region just east of Broome.
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The ATSB has launched an investigation into the incident after being notified by WA police, who will prepare a report for the coroner. An investigator from the ATSB’s Perth office will be deployed to the site alongside others from the east coast.
“The ATSB is deploying a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, with expertise in aircraft operations and maintenance, to the site,” said ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell in a statement.
“They will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities including wreckage examination and site mapping, and will recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.
“Investigators will also seek to interview witnesses, and collect relevant recorded data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”
The two helicopters were among four that departed for mustering activities at around the same time, investigators said.
“The ATSB will release a preliminary report detailing factual information established in the investigation’s evidence gathering phase in about two months. A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation and will detail analysis and findings,” said Mitchell.
“However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken.”
