Helicopter pilot dies in crash

It was the second crop-duster fatality in just under a year in theGawler area and the third in Tasmania in the past 10 years.

The pilot, Ian AshleyHighwood, 41, of Western Australia, was contracted to Latrobe aerial spray companyP & P Young and had been in Tasmania for only a week.

Insp. Steve Bonde ofUlverstone police said it appeared the pilot had made several passes over the paddockon the property of Alan Anderson on Top Gawler Rd about 9.20am before thehelicopter struck 20,000-volt power lines and crashed. One of the three power lineswas brought down.

The pilot was killed on impact. The Hughes 300-269 helicopter was totally destroyed, the crumpled debris concentrated in a 4m area withthe undercarriage uppermost. Ambulance, the Ulverstone Fire Brigade and policeattended the scene. It is understood Mr Anderson received medical treatment forshock.

Police sealed off the area pending an investigation by the Bureau of AirSafety Investigation. The body was removed late in the afternoon.

Farmer RonMott heard the crash and was first on the scene. “I heard three loud bangs and saw theHydro fuses go,'' Mr Mott said. “He had only been here for about five minutes anddid about three runs around the house.''

A 43-year-old American crop dusterhelicopter pilot, Dale Heimer, was killed less than 3km away on February 7 last year.His Bell crop duster hit power lines, crashing into a potato paddock on the property ofAubrey Johnson of Picketts Rd.

The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation iscontinuing probes into yesterday's crash following reports that the pilot was operatingover the wrong paddock.

An inquest was opened by senior Northern Coroner Peter Wilson and adjourned to Monday January 19 for formal identification.