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, In-depth Feature
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.