Inquest into the Deaths of Anthony Glynn Gard; Errol Frederick Glass
Deceased
Anthony Glynn Gard; Errol Frederick Glass
Demographics
48y, male
Date of death
2001-01-18
Finding date
2003-04-11
Cause of death
Multiple injuries with incineration (Gard); Incineration (Glass)
AI-generated summary
Two experienced aviation and power industry professionals died when their helicopter struck a spur power line during a routine fault-finding inspection. Anthony Gard (48), an experienced helicopter pilot, and Errol Glass (46), a Western Power linesman, were conducting aerial inspection of distribution lines near Bencubbin on 18 January 2001. While closely inspecting a suspect insulator, the pilot maneuvred the aircraft to low level to provide better viewing angles. During repositioning, the helicopter's left skid contacted an unmarked spur line at approximately 7.2 metres height. The contact caused the aircraft to flip and crash, resulting in multiple injuries and incineration. A third crew member, Brian Smith, survived with serious injuries. Investigations identified multiple contributing factors: inadequate training standards for low-level power line work, absence of wire strike protection systems, poor visibility of spur lines against field background, disputed crew responsibilities regarding hazard identification, and lack of formal agreed procedures between the helicopter operator and power authority. The coroner found the deaths accidental and made recommendations regarding wire markers, protective systems, and standardised training.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Contributing factors
- Helicopter struck unmarked spur power line during low-level manoeuvre
- Spur line not visible against harvested stubble background in overcast conditions
- Helicopter flown at insufficient height to ensure obstacle clearance
- Inadequate training for pilot in power line inspection operations
- Absence of formal crew communication procedures and role definitions
- Dispute between operator and principal regarding crew member responsibilities for hazard identification
- Absence of wire strike protection system
- Spur line not marked at wire level
- Pilot did not have power line maps in possession
Coroner's recommendations
- Electricity suppliers and distributors provide markers on spur line wires that stand out clearly against cross-country background, rather than relying on white paint at ground level
- Helicopters required to fly at low levels be fitted with approved Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS) kits
- Formal agreement between WPC and preferred helicopter operators specifying safe vertical and horizontal distances from power lines, crew roles and responsibilities, and hazard communication procedures
- Continued training for all personnel involved in aerial power line inspections to ensure familiarity with workplace hazards and risk minimisation
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority review need to develop competency standards for low-level aircraft operations including power line inspections and develop education programs
- Development of formal Operations and Procedures Manuals by electricity suppliers employing helicopters for low-level power line work to ensure best practice and appropriate training standards
Full text
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