A mustering pilot was uninjured in a tail strike accident in a Robinson R22 after they immediately applied the correct tail rotor failure technique, as had been included in a recent proficiency check, an ATSB final report details.
The helicopter was one of two being used for mustering cattle on a property in eastern Northern Territory on 1 July 2025 when, as it was working an animal towards a holding yard, the animal baulked and turned away from the mustered direction.
"With limited time to react, the pilot attempted to stop the animal changing direction but, with a tailwind present, did not anticipate the additional power required to flare the helicopter," ATSB Director of Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.
The helicopter descended in a tail low attitude before the tail rotor struck the ground.
The R22 subsequently began to rotate and the pilot, assessing there was a tail rotor failure, reduced the throttle to decrease the torque, and increased the collective to cushion the aircraft onto the ground.
The pilot estimated that the helicopter had completed 2 or 3 full rotations, and still had some rotation when the right skid made contact with the ground, causing the helicopter to roll over to the right.
The main rotor blades then impacted the ground and the helicopter came to a stop on its right side, resulting in substantial damage.
"The pilot had recently conducted a proficiency check which included simulated tail rotor failures," Dr Godley said.
"This likely allowed them to react quickly, and correctly apply the emergency technique, avoiding a more serious accident."
The pilot was able to exit the helicopter, uninjured, once it came to a rest, and later stated that their wearing of a flight helmet had prevented a head impact during the accident sequence.
"Aerial mustering is a high-risk activity involving low flying, often near obstacles, powerlines and stock," Dr Godley concluded.
"This accident highlights the benefit of recent emergency training, which in this case likely helped the pilot to react to the tail rotor failure with the correct technique before the helicopter became uncontrollable."
You can find here the final report: Tail rotor strike involving Robinson R22 Beta II, VH-HGE, 58 km north‑west of Anthony Lagoon, Northern Territory, on 1 July 2025
