Regulations and Government
Australian Army Helicopter Ignited Massive Brushfire
Australian coroner's court is investigating a 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, which was started by army helicopter’s search light.
The Australian coroner's court is investigating a 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, which was started by an army helicopter’s searchlight. (Photo: ACT Government)
The Australian coroner's court is investigating a 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, which was started by an army helicopter’s searchlight. (Photo: ACT Government)

An Australian coroner’s court is looking into the circumstances surrounding a deadly 2020 Canberra-area Orroral Valley brushfire, ignited when an army MRH-90 helicopter made an out-of-plan landing for a crew bathroom break. The inferno began on January 27 shortly after 1:38 p.m. local time when the helicopter landed with its searchlight turned on, sparking the blaze and scorching the underside of the helicopter. The illuminated searchlight was estimated to have a contact temperature of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and the helicopter was on the ground for less than one minute. 


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