NT Worksafe has withdrawn charges against the directors of a Queensland cattle company over a fatal 2018 helicopter crash that killed one of their employees in central Australia.
Another Hewitt Cattle Australia employee was seriously injured in the crash at Ambalindum Station, about 135 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs, in November 2018.
An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found the pilot, who was killed, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14 at the time of the crash and that the helicopter was likely overloaded.
The ATSB investigation concluded the likely cause of the crash was that the helicopter encountered turbulence while being flown unnecessarily low, with insufficient height to recover.
Charges dropped over crash
In 2020, NT Worksafe charged two of the company's directors, Ben and Michael Hewitt, with multiple breaches of the NT's workplace health and safety laws.
Each faced a maximum penalty of $400,000 if found guilty.
But in Alice Springs Local Court today, NT Worksafe withdrew the charges.
NT Worksafe said this decision came after Michael Hewitt promised an enforceable undertaking to improve company operations.
The legally binding agreement requires Hewitt Cattle to spend $55,000 to improve safety systems within the company.
The organisation must also deliver health and safety initiatives within the agriculture industry, including presenting at an NT Cattleman's Association event on safety compliance.
Safety reminder to industry
In the years since the crash, the company says, it has spent $1 million on improving safety on their properties, particularly when it comes to their aerial operations.
NT WorkSafe executive director Peggy Cheong said in light of this recent investment, the enforceable undertaking was appropriate.
"[It] 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.
"It is a timely reminder and message for officers to be aware of their obligations to not only have safe work systems but to ensure that such systems are actioned and implemented as part of their duty under the act."
