Overview

• The helicopter was en route near the remote community of Gapuwiyak around 2pm on July 14 when it struck a bird mid-flight.
• The bird’s impact fatally injured a 54-year-old male passenger despite the pilot managing a safe landing at Lake Evella airstrip.
• St John Ambulance paramedics and Northern Territory police officers attended the scene and pronounced the passenger dead, while the pilot remained unharmed.
• NT WorkSafe and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have been formally notified to review compliance and operational protocols.
• Gapuwiyak sits approximately 500 kilometres east of Darwin, illustrating the logistical challenges of emergency response and air transport in isolated areas.