Robinson R22 accident near Paraburdoo, Au, June 25, 2009
On June 25, 2009 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered VHHOX, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Paraburdoo. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- June 25, 2009 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Paraburdoo, Australia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- VHHOX · no longer on the register · serial 2935
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 25, 2009 at 2230 local time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, Australia registry VH-HXO, collided with the ground near Paraburdoo, Western Australia. The helicopter was owned and operated by a private individual and was on a non-commercial cross country flight under the pertinent provisions of the Australian civilian aviation regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The helicopter was destroyed in the ground collision sequence and the pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The flight had reportedly departed from Newman, Western Australia, and was enroute to Uaroo Station. The accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated by, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Further information can be obtained from he ATSB at: Australian Transport Safety Bureau Street address: 62 Northbourne Avenue Canberra ACT 2601 Tel: (02) 6257 4150 Fax: (02) 6247 3117 Postal address: PO Box 967 Civic Square ACT 2608 1800 020 616 Tel: (02) 6257 4150 Tel International: +61 2 6257 4150 Fax: (02) 6247 3117 Email: atsbinfo@atsb.gov.au ABN: 86 267 354 017 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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,340 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Newman, Wa
- Destination: Uaroo Station
- 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 |
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.