Two company directors of a Northern Territory cattle station have been charged over a fatal helicopter crash that claimed the life of an intoxicated pilot.

December 8, 2020

Two directors of an industry-leading livestock producer have been charged after a fatal helicopter crash at a Northern Territory cattle station claimed the life of an intoxicated pilot.

The crash at Ambalindum Station, about 125 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs, in 2018 killed the 47-year-old pilot, who was mustering for Queensland-based Hewitt Cattle Australia.

It also seriously injured his 24-year-old passenger, who was employed as the station’s head stockman.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the pilot’s blood alcohol level was four times the legal driving limit at 0.20 after drinking late into the previous night.

The pilot also failed to check the weather forecast which was predicting turbulence before taking off in the overloaded Robinson R22 helicopter.

Investigators found the aircraft would have been difficult to control and was likely hit by a strong downdraft while flying low to the ground near the MacDonnell Ranges.

Each company director has been charged with four counts of breaching the NT’s work health and safety laws for failing to perform their duties and take reasonable steps to protect their workers.

They face a maximum penalty of $400,000 if found guilty.

NT WorkSafe director Bill Esteves said aerial mustering is a very hazardous activity involving low-level flying around obstacles such as power lines and trees.

“This coupled with the additional hazards of intoxication, overloading and poor weight distribution increases the risk of a crash to extreme levels,” he said.

“Company directors must demonstrate a high standard of due diligence in workplace safety”.

They must ensure their businesses minimise health and safety risks, he said.

NT WorkSafe will allege the company directors failed to comply with their duty to ensure the company had appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise the risk.

On its website, Hewitt Cattle said it was an Australian agricultural industry leader and employed the “best practice management techniques across its operations” for over 40 years.

In a statement, the company said its directors take their safety obligations very seriously and are committed to providing a safe working environment for staff, contractors and visitors.

Hewitt operates sheep and cattle stations in Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and NSW.

The directors’ cases are scheduled to be mentioned in Alice Springs Local Court on December 16.