On October 26, 2023, Ed Kraft, a seasoned pilot from Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains, tragically lost his life when his helicopter disappeared during a flight to Wallis Island. His remains have yet to be recovered, although debris was later found in the ocean off Providence Bay, near Hawks Nest.
Kraft was flying a Robinson R66 when he encountered a dangerous turbulence-induced low-G condition shortly after takeoff. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a report detailing the incident, which explains that the helicopter broke apart just 3.5 seconds after the turbulence caused the rotor blades to stop generating lift, leading to a rapid descent.
As the aircraft approached Yacaaba Headland, it was flying at 115 knots—45 knots over the manufacturer’s recommended maximum speed for flying through significant turbulence. This excessive speed exacerbated the aircraft’s uncommanded right roll and left the pilot with less time to react effectively. Compounding the situation, Kraft was eating at the time and had food in his right hand, forcing him to use only his left hand to control the cyclic. This impaired his ability to bring the helicopter under control quickly.
The ATSB noted that the event was captured on an onboard video camera, which will likely provide further insights into the incident. In response to this tragedy, the helicopter company is set to improve safety measures and provide enhanced guidance for pilots regarding low-G scenarios, turbulence management, and the challenges of pilot distraction. Additionally, modifications to the helicopter’s design are being considered to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This unfortunate event highlights the critical importance of maintaining proper control and awareness in high-risk flying conditions, as well as the need for appropriate measures to support pilots in managing distractions during flight.