Flight Crew did not provide adequate separation from a light pole during taxi manoeuvres. During taxi into the apron after landing at Port Keats Airport the Crew taxied the Helicopter between two objects; a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner Aircraft and a Light Pole. The crew did not taxi the aircraft thru the centre of the gap between of these two objects but struck the object on the L/H side with the Main Rotor Blades. It is likely that the crew became distracted and were concentrating on the Metroliner that had one engine running and was preparing to depart and did not notice the proximity to the pole.
Due to the debris that was propelled from the wreckage there was some 3rd party personal injuries and damage to adjacent property. Summary of known damage is summarized here:
-Two Christian Brothers were sitting inside their vehicle (Toyota 579-590).They sustained small lacerations to their forearms. -Baggage Handler of Murin Airlines was hit by flying debris and was injured. Murin Airlines contracts aircraft from Hardy Aviation and this employee was employed by Murin.
Light post that was contacted by the Main rotors was destroyed. The Pole fell on top of the aircraft after the aircraft rollover.
Damage to pavement from the Main rotor head, caused a small hole to be dug thru the bitumen.
The airport fence was damage from flying debris that impacted it in several locations
The aircraft was estimated to have 750 Kgs on board from the flight log and with an allownac for taxi it would be approximately 720 Kgs. The fuel was removed and placed into drums which amounted to between 800-900 litres which corresponded to the fuel load.
Minor spills of hydraulic oil and gearbox oil were on the ramp bitumen and they were absorbed by spill material and disposed of accordingly.
Due to the debris that was propelled from the wreckage there was some 3rd party personal injuries and damage to adjacent property. Summary of known damage is summarized here:
-Two Christian Brothers were sitting inside their vehicle (Toyota 579-590).They sustained small lacerations to their forearms. -Baggage Handler of Murin Airlines was hit by flying debris and was injured. Murin Airlines contracts aircraft from Hardy Aviation and this employee was employed by Murin.
Light post that was contacted by the Main rotors was destroyed. The Pole fell on top of the aircraft after the aircraft rollover.
Damage to pavement from the Main rotor head, caused a small hole to be dug thru the bitumen.
The airport fence was damage from flying debris that impacted it in several locations
The aircraft was estimated to have 750 Kgs on board from the flight log and with an allownac for taxi it would be approximately 720 Kgs. The fuel was removed and placed into drums which amounted to between 800-900 litres which corresponded to the fuel load.
Minor spills of hydraulic oil and gearbox oil were on the ramp bitumen and they were absorbed by spill material and disposed of accordingly.
