Inquiries & Recommendations

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A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into dense bush in Glenbervie Forest near Whāngārei. The two occupants – the pilot and a forestry contractor – died in the crash, and the helicopter was consumed by fire. Crash and fire damage destroyed evidence, so the cause or causes could not be determined. The Commission has previously recommended that recorders be fitted to certain classes of helicopter to aid accident investigation.

On Monday 12 February 1996 at about 2240 hours, Hughes 369D helicopter ZK-HLE, on a night rescue flight, collided with trees and the ground, and caught fire. The two crew were killed. Reduced visibility in poor weather was probably a factor in the collision. The details of the flight leading to the collision were not established.

While off loading a sling-load of bales of seaweed the pilot sensed a transient "buzz" from the tail rotor which disappeared with the application of yaw pedal. On the transit back to the pick up point at about 200 feet amsl and 60 knots IAS there was a brief, high frequency, vibration throughout the airframe followed by a loud noise. The helicopter's nose pitched down sharply. A witness on the beach saw the tail rotor separate and fall, apparently intact, to the sea.

The homebuilt aircraft, which had been constructed by the owner pilot, was observed taking off from Culverden to return to Christchurch. The take-off and initial climb appeared normal but at a height of about 200 feet agl the engine was heard to falter and misfire. The aircraft entered a spin to the left and collided with the ground just north of the aerodrome. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries.

A Hughes 369D helicopter collided with two 11,000 volt electric power conductors on 14 March 1994 at Mohaka near Wairoa. The safety issues identified were the need for detailed preparation before engaging in low level air transport operations, the permissive operation of low level air transport operations and the marking of long spans of wires above wide valleys.

Shortly after a night take-off from Auckland Airport the aircraft descended to collide with a bank at the aerodrome boundary before a second collision with the water surface of Manukau Harbour. The three crew were killed in the accident.

Circumstances of this fatal helicopter crash into dense forest included: risky take-off towards and over treetops; old worn engine lacked power; and aircraft not airworthy. Also private pilot licence conditions breached (flying for payment or reward). Lessons about obeying Civil Aviation Rules; reporting concerns; CAA monitoring of nominally private aviation participants.

A skydive tandem pair crash-landed into a lake following a double parachute malfunction. The tandem rider’s lifejacket did not properly inflate, and the rider was lost in the lake, presumed deceased. Parachutists everywhere need to practice water landings, which are even riskier than you might think. TAIC recommends changes to aviation rules and incident reporting.