Queensland Police are investigating the crash of a Robinson R22 Beta mustering helicopter, after its pilot allegedly struck a cow whilst herding cattle on a Coen Cattle Station on Sunday.
It is believed the rails underneath the helicopter got tangled up in the cow’s horns, causing the chopper to lose balance.
Police from Coen were called to the incident just after 2.40pm with reports the helicopter had crashed onto the Peninsula Development Road 15km south of Coen.
As a result of the rough landing the helicopter has caught fire and been totally destroyed. The Rural Fire Service attended the crash site and extinguished the aircraft.
The pilot a 35-year-old Richmond man walked away from the crash without any injury.
The cow also escaped and lived to roam another day.
Source: Queensland Police
Kate , how many hours chopper mustering you have ?
Does any one know who the pilot is. From Richmond apparently.
Glad the cow and pilot are ok
Hey Ron Shaw you must be an expert at everything yeah? it was an accident Hello??
Ever seen these guys at work before?
You got it right Kate Elliot, there is an obvious need for Best Practice Guidelines for Heli-mustering.
Glad both the pilot & beast got out of this unscathed. I'm OK with the chopper melt down, sometimes that's the only way certain people learn!!
Not really the pilot or cows fault, just one of the hazards of helimustering. This is flying on the edge, when the bounds are pushed, the odds are accidents will happen.
Cull Cow!!
A cow didn't bring this chopper down. A chopper pilot flying too close to a cow did !