Executive summary
At the conclusion of a brief local flight the pilot descended the helicopter over the Dart River. The helicopter collided with a pair of electric fence feeder wires, spanning a dry channel between the eastern bank and an adjacent island, and shortly afterwards struck the river bed. The pilot received fatal injuries but the passenger survived the accident.
Related Recommendations
That attention be drawn, once again to the hazards of altering the configuration of a seatbelt installation. The proper approval process should be followed as it is intended to ensure that any modified seatbelt or harness installation will serve the purpose for which it is to be used with due regard to the loads which may be placed upon it and will be compromise other safety aspects.
That attention by drawn, once again, to the insidious hazard of low strung wires, to any aircraft which has descended to low level in an area with which the pilot is unfamiliar, or where the pilot has not positively confirmed that no wire hazard exists.