NT WorkSafe drops charges over fatal helicopter crash

Charges against the directors of a Queensland cattle company who had been accused of breaching workplace health and safety laws over a fatal helicopter crash in the Northern Territory have been dropped.

NT WorkSafe withdrew the charges after one of the directors agreed to an enforceable undertaking to spend $55,000 to improve safety on the company’s properties.

NT WorkSafe Executive Director Peggy Cheong said the decision was appropriate, considering the company had spent over $1 million to improve safety on their properties.

“The enforceable undertaking will further assist officers in understanding their duty under the Act with respect to ensuring that safe systems of work are implemented in the workplace,” she said.

During the November 2018 crash, north-east of Alice Springs, a 47-year-old pilot was killed and a 24-year-old man seriously injured.

Details of the enforceable undertaking are available here.