Executive summary
A Hughes 269C helicopter ZK-HOB collided with power conductors near Hokitika on 13 December 1992. The safety issues discussed in the report are: the need for the Civil Aviation Authority and the New Zealand Police to have the authority to require any person to undergo the appropriate tests to determine if alcohol or drugs may have affected their ability to fly an aircraft, and the need for compliance with the Flight Manual requirement for a shoulder harness to be available for the centre seat passenger of Hughes/Schweizer 269 series helicopters.
Related Recommendations
That legislation be introduced to enable Police and Civil Aviation Authority personnel to require a pilot suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to undergo the appropriate test to determine if this was so. The circumstances under which such tests may be requested should be based on similar considerations to those outlined in FAR91.11, but, at the least, tests should be conducted following an aircraft accident or incident where alcohol or drugs may be suspected as a contributing factor.
Action be taken to ensure that personnel concerned with the operation of Hughes or Schweizer 269 series helicopters are aware of the Flight Manual requirement for shoulder harness for the centre seat passenger and that the requirement be complied with.