No cause determined for ABC chopper crash

A month-long investigation by transport safety staff has not found a cause for an outback helicopter crash that killed three ABC staff.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its preliminary report but it could be up to 11 months before the final report is ready.

Paul Lockyer, John Bean and Gary Ticehurst died in the crash after sunset near Lake Eyre in South Australia on August 18.

The ATSB has checked the helicopter's major components and investigators have spoken with witnesses.

The report says no cause for the crash has been identified at this stage.

It says the helicopter had been maintained in accordance with air frame and engine manufacturer's requirements and was allowed to fly at night.

Both engines of the 23-year-old chopper had been removed nine days before the crash for a routine service but the craft had then flown for 15 hours with no reported problems.

A witness had reported seeing a glow coming from the helicopter before it hit the ground, but the report has ruled that out.

It concludes there is evidence a fire at the crash site happened after impact.

A GPS and other instruments from the aircraft are being examined further.

The report says the pilot had been checked for proficiency and had a medical examination in line with aviation requirements and had no record of any problems.

http://www.abc.net.au