WA helicopter crash highlights night risk

Air safety authorities have warned of the dangers of flying at night after a fatal helicopter crash in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The pilot of a Robinson R22 helicopter was flying after last light in an area where there was no ground lighting when he crashed into terrain west of Springvale on August 25.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the accident highlighted the high risk of night flying in remote areas with little or no visual references for establishing an aircraft's position.

The ATSB said the pilot who died in the August crash did not hold night flying qualifications, which increased the risk to an unacceptable level.

It said the frequency of such accidents, many of them fatal, was concerning.

Pilots needed to arrive at their destination at least 10 minutes before last light and have a realistic alternative plan for when a flight could not be completed in daylight.