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29 September 2023
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Pilot survives firefighting helicopter crash in Australia
A firefighting helicopter on Wednesday, 20 September 2023, crashed into a dam in the Australian state of Queensland, but the pilot, also the sole occupant of the chopper, made an escape without injury. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) noted in a statement that the incident occurred in Tarome, a rural town in the state’s southeast.
Grant Schultz was drawing water from a dam at Tarome, west of Brisbane, when he lost control and was forced to make an emergency escape.
Schultz told media how he was nearly trapped in the sinking helicopter, with door after door failing to open. “That point where I had one door left, I started to have a little bit of realisation that it was my last chance,” he said. “So yeah, it was definitely scary at the end.”
The helicopter crashed into the water after Schultz lost control as a result of what he called an “uncommanded” movement while he was drawing water from the dam at a private property at Tarome in Queensland’s Scenic Rim shortly before 15h00 local time.
There were just “four inches” (10cm) of air left above the water in the cabin by the time he was able to escape, he said.
Both the pilot’s side front door and back door were jammed and could not be opened by his kicks. He eventually escaped through a third exit.
An experienced pilot, Schultz credited helicopter underwater escape training for his survival.
“I’m not a very good swimmer, and I’m not very good at holding my breath,” he said.
Having swum to shore, he said everything felt “kind of surreal”.
“Like I’m in the middle of a dam. That tail of the helicopter was just out and I was kind of just leaning on the tail of the helicopter in the middle of the dam and looking around these people up on the hill. They were probably more shocked than I was.”
He was taken to Toowoomba hospital to be treated for injuries, but told media he had only suffered a scratch or two, plus a sore head from banging it into the chopper.
Schultz said he will take a few weeks off before getting back in the cockpit for training.
“I kind of felt like I’d let [fire services] and everyone down, kind of thing. But relieved at the same time. Could have been a different ending, I guess.”
The emergency authority confirmed that the aircraft was deployed to help douse a vegetation fire in Tregony, which has been burning for the past several days. The authority has been dealing with the fire since 16 September 2023.
“The cause of the crash is unknown at this time and QFES will assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with its investigation,’’ said the authority.
After experiencing the warmest winter on record since 1910, Queensland saw the onset of an unseasonal heat wave in early spring, which elevated fire risks across the state.
Sources: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), The Guardian
Grant Schultz was drawing water from a dam at Tarome, west of Brisbane, when he lost control and was forced to make an emergency escape.
Schultz told media how he was nearly trapped in the sinking helicopter, with door after door failing to open. “That point where I had one door left, I started to have a little bit of realisation that it was my last chance,” he said. “So yeah, it was definitely scary at the end.”
The helicopter crashed into the water after Schultz lost control as a result of what he called an “uncommanded” movement while he was drawing water from the dam at a private property at Tarome in Queensland’s Scenic Rim shortly before 15h00 local time.
There were just “four inches” (10cm) of air left above the water in the cabin by the time he was able to escape, he said.
Both the pilot’s side front door and back door were jammed and could not be opened by his kicks. He eventually escaped through a third exit.
An experienced pilot, Schultz credited helicopter underwater escape training for his survival.
“I’m not a very good swimmer, and I’m not very good at holding my breath,” he said.
Having swum to shore, he said everything felt “kind of surreal”.
“Like I’m in the middle of a dam. That tail of the helicopter was just out and I was kind of just leaning on the tail of the helicopter in the middle of the dam and looking around these people up on the hill. They were probably more shocked than I was.”
He was taken to Toowoomba hospital to be treated for injuries, but told media he had only suffered a scratch or two, plus a sore head from banging it into the chopper.
Schultz said he will take a few weeks off before getting back in the cockpit for training.
“I kind of felt like I’d let [fire services] and everyone down, kind of thing. But relieved at the same time. Could have been a different ending, I guess.”
The emergency authority confirmed that the aircraft was deployed to help douse a vegetation fire in Tregony, which has been burning for the past several days. The authority has been dealing with the fire since 16 September 2023.
“The cause of the crash is unknown at this time and QFES will assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with its investigation,’’ said the authority.
After experiencing the warmest winter on record since 1910, Queensland saw the onset of an unseasonal heat wave in early spring, which elevated fire risks across the state.
Sources: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), The Guardian