12:00 am, Wednesday 26 September, 2007

Source: Fairfax

A 37-year-old pilot has died after his helicopter crashed during a cattle muster in Western Australia’s far north, authorities say.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) air crash investigators from Canberra are expected to arrive on Wednesday at the crash site near Wyndham.

WA safety watchdog WorkSafe would assist the ATSB with the investigation, said WorkSafe Commissioner Nina Lyhne.

Ms Lyhne said any work-related death was a tragedy and she sent her condolences to the pilot’s family.

Police spokesman Ian Hasleby said the pilot was the only person in the chopper when it crashed on Doongan Station, 150km west of Wyndham, at about 7.30am (WST) on Tuesday.

“The pilot, (who) was the only person on board, was believed to be in his late 30s (and) was killed during the crash,” Mr Hasleby said.

A bushfire that was ignited when the two-seater helicopter crashed and burst into flames was put out by the station owners.

OHS NEWS TIP - Helicopter Safe Work Procedure

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