Sikorsky S64 accident near Mount Eliza, Au, January 28, 2019
On January 28, 2019 at about 7:56 pm local time, a Sikorsky S64 (helicopter), registered N173AC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mount Eliza. It was flown under foreign airline rules (Part 129). 3 people 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
- January 28, 2019 · about 7:56 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Eliza, Australia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S64 E · all S64s on the register
- Registration
- N173AC · registry record · serial 64015
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · foreign airline rules (Part 129)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On January 28, 2019, at 1956 local time, a Sikorsky S-64E, N173AC, sustained substantial damage after colliding into a pond near Mount Eliza, Australia. The pilot and two crewmembers were not injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) P.O. Box 967, Civic Square Canberra A.C.T. 2608 Australia Tel.: (61) 2 6230-4408 (24/7 Notifications) (61) 2 6257-4150 (International liaison) E-mail:atsbasir@atsb.gov.au (Notifications) ATSBInternationalReporting@atsb.gov.au (International liaison) Fax: (61) 2 6274-6434 (Notifications) (61) 26247-3117 (International liaison) Website: http://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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.