Mcdonnell Douglas 369 accident near Murray Bridge, Au, November 19, 2008
On November 19, 2008, a Mcdonnell Douglas 369 (helicopter), registered VHPLJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Murray Bridge. It was an other work-use flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed, 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 19, 2008
- Place
- Murray Bridge, Australia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed, 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 369 D
- Registration
- VHPLJ · no longer on the register · serial 1280445D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 19, 2008, about 1115 Australian central daylight-saving time, a pilot and two linesmen were operating a McDonnell Douglas 369D helicopter, Australian registry VH-PLJ, to test a high-voltage power line between Mannum and Mobilong, SA. While maneuvering to test a conductor joint, the helicopter's main rotors struck a conductor and the helicopter impacted the ground. One linesman was fatally injured and the other sustained minor injuries; the pilot sustained serious injuries. This accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated by, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. For additional information regarding this accident investigation contact the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). ATSB PO Box 967 Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia (Phone) +61-2-6257-4150 www.atsb.gov.au
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover) defining event
Crew member
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,744 hours in all
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.