Instructor Dead, Teen Student Critically Injured Helicopter Crash

A flight instructor died, and a teen student was critically injured after an out-of-control helicopter crashed into a parked car in Australia.

The crash occurred on Birch Street in Bankstown around 1:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 3, the New South Wales Police Force said in a news release.

Inside the Robinson R22 helicopter was an instructor and a 19-year-old student pilot, according to The Sydney Morning Herald and 7 News Australia. The young man was reportedly at the controls when the crash occurred.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the piston-engine helicopter was “conducting a training flight” at the time of the crash, the Herald reported.

Footage shared by the news outlets showed the helicopter falling from the sky near Bankstown Airport before clipping at least one tree. The helicopter reportedly then slammed into a car upon reaching the ground.

A man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, but died at the scene, according to police. He has been identified by 7 News Australia as an instructor in his 50s.

Bystanders pulled the 19-year-old student out of the wreckage, according to 7 News Australia and 9 News Australia. 

He was treated for serious injuries at the scene before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, police said.

NSW Ambulance said the young man sustained head and facial injuries, as well as possible spinal injuries, according to the Herald.

One witness told 9 News Australia they were in class at Bankstown Flying School “on the other side of the airport” when another student in the class “got a call from one of his friends” about the crash.

“Obviously [they] tried to help, pulled the student out who is pretty shaken up, pretty bad,” the witness said.

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Police said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash. The bureau said in a statement that investigators are “collecting relevant recorded information, including any flight tracking data, weather information, and pilot and helicopter maintenance records,” the Herald reported.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-333-000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, according to police.