ATSB fails to trace operator of near-miss drone
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a final report on a near collision between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Bell 412 that took place near the Newcastle Westpac Base, New South Wales, on 22 March 2014.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a final report on a near collision between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Bell 412 that took place near the Newcastle Westpac Base, New South Wales, on 22 March 2014. Although the helicopter was not damaged, the Bureau rated this as a ‘serious’ incident.
The ATSB reports that at about 22:00 hrs, the helicopter, tail number VH-WSR, lifted off from John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for a flight of about two miles to the Newcastle Westpac helipad with five crew members onboard. The pilot broadcast his intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency, but did not receive a response. While heading northeast and climbing to 1,200 ft (365 m) above ground level, the pilot observed a steady white light that initially appeared to be an aircraft in the vicinity of Williamtown Airport, about 10 miles away. After reaching 1,200 ft, the pilot commenced a descent towards the helipad.
The light appeared to cross very quickly from the pilot’s left to right and the helicopter crew realised that it was actually roughly over the Hunter Stadium in Newcastle. It then made an abrupt turn to the left of about 30-40º and commenced tracking to the southeast away from the helicopter. The pilot again broadcast on the common traffic advisory frequency and again received no response. About 10 to 15 seconds later, he observed the light make an abrupt right turn and track towards the helicopter. The rate and radius of the turn indicated to the pilot that it was not an aircraft and was more likely to be a small UAV. As the helicopter descended through about 1,000 ft (305 m) and banked to the left, the pilot observed the UAV about 100 m (330 ft) away and at about the same level as the helicopter. The pilot then commenced a turn to the right and observed the UAV hovering in position just above the helicopter. The pilot continued the turn through 360º and landed at the helipad.
The ATSB noted that the Hunter Stadium had hosted a football match earlier that evening, but neither the venue operators nor the official event broadcaster said they had any knowledge of a UAV being operated in the area. No UAV operations had been approved by the ATSB. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority noted that all UAVs are restricted to operations below 400 ft (120 m) unless the operator has been granted explicit approval.