62 Northbourne Ave, Canberra ACT 2601
PO Box 967, Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia
Telephone: 02 6274 6595
Facsimile: 02 6247 3117
24 hours: 1800 020 616
ABN 65 061 156 887
Media Release 2009/19
Helicopter Accident, Dorrigo, NSW
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) held a media briefing near Dorrigo, NSW on the
ATSB’s investigation into the Bell 206 helicopter accident on 9 December 2009.
Senior Investigator Chuck Davies told the media that the investigation would seek to identify what factors
may have contributed to the accident. The ATSB is also investigating two other incidents involving
helicopter operations in support of fire fighting efforts, that occurred near Bathurst and Tamworth this
week.
The ATSB has dispatched a team of five investigators to Dorrigo. The team arrived on site early on 10
December and is expected to be on site for 3 to 5 days. The ATSB is working closely with the NSW
police who are also on site.
During their time on site, the team will; examine the site including the available physical evidence, speak
to any witnesses, and visit the aircraft operator to recover relevant operational and maintenance
documentation. A number of items and components from the helicopter may be recovered from the site
for later technical examination.
On return from the accident site, the investigation will continue gathering factual information including
the weather at the time of the accident, any recorded data, and additional witness and other interviews.
The investigation will then analyse the data before making any findings and, where necessary, will
encourage safety action in order to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
It is too early to speculate about contributory and other factors relevant to this accident. Accident
investigations can be complex and fatal accidents such as occurred at Dorrigo yesterday can take many
months to finalise and to release the final investigation report to the public. However, a Preliminary
Factual Report will be released in about 30 days.
Any witnesses to the accident are requested to contact the ATSB at tel 1800-011-034 or 1800 020 616, or
via e-mail at atsbinfo@atsb.gov.au
Media Contact: 1800 020 616
10 December 2009
NEWS 
