Executive summary
Severe "sink" experienced during an approach to a high level landing site resulted in a collision with terrain of Aerospatiale AS 350B helicopter ZK-HNH near the summit of Mt Fyffe, 12 km north-west of Kaikoura on 1 February 1993. The safety issues discussed in the report are: the ineffectiveness of the local wind indicators, the inaccessibility of the mountain survival gear carried in the aircraft and the need to develop local contingency plans for aviation emergencies in the Kaikoura area.
Related Recommendations
That consideration be given to dividing the basic mountain survival equipment so that some items are stowed on each side of the helicopter, if side locker stowage is used, since in most land-based accidents the helicopter is likely to come to rest rolled onto one side or the other.
They consider the use of conventional windsocks at more than one position about the Mt Fyffe landing site.
That the necessary steps be taken to convene a meeting or meetings to include representatives of local aviation operators, the Police, and local medical authorities, and any other appropriate persons, in order to discuss and develop suitable contingency plans in the event of an aviation accident or emergency in the Kaikoura area.
The effectiveness of the Department of Conservation wind indicator installation should be monitored.