Two men die in fiery NSW helicopter crash

TWO men killed in a fiery helicopter crash during take-off from an airstrip on the NSW south coast were heading to nearby Jervis Bay to film a documentary.
 
David Bennett, president of the South Coast Recreational Flying Club, says he was standing just six metres from the helicopter when it crashed during take-off from the Jaspers Brush airfield, south of Berry, about 3.55pm (AEDT) on Saturday.


Mr Bennett said he met the men, who were off to do some filming for a documentary, for the first time today, before he watched the crash unfold.

"Something has gone wrong and they have crashed to the ground and burned," Mr Bennett said.
"I don't know who they were, other than to say, 'G'day' when they arrived.

"They were filming a documentary down in Jervis Bay.

"They had a pilot and cameraman on board and they were taking off together to do some filming."

The 50-year-old pilot, from Melbourne, and his passenger, an American man aged in his 50s, died at the scene.

A Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesman said crews arrived at the scene to find the helicopter well alight.
The crash had occurred near a hangar and people there had already started fighting the fire before crews arrived, the spokesman said.

The fire burned "mostly within the cabin area" of the helicopter before sparking a grass fire, he said.
The two men died at the scene.

Police have established a crime scene and will prepare a report for the coroner.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is arranging a team of investigators to examine the scene, said spokesman Mike Walker.

Two investigators from Canberra and two from Brisbane will arrive at the site tomorrow morning.
Mr Walker said the helicopter was a Robinson R44.

 

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