Executive summary
At approximately 1351 hours on Tuesday 11 October 1994 an AS350B helicopter, ZK-HZP, flew into the sea near Needle Rock, 10 nm north-east of Whitianga. Two of the five passengers lost their lives in the accident and the pilot received serious injuries. The safety issues discussed include the hazards associated with hydraulic jack stall, and the necessity for pilots to make sound command decisions appropriate to air transport operations.
Related Recommendations
Remind all operators of AS350 series helicopters of the hazards associated with hydraulic jack stall and the precautions necessary to avoid its onset, particularly in conditions of moderate to severe turbulence.
Research what additional training for pilots should be carried out, with regard to the physical and psychological conditions that lead to errors of judgement and violation of rules and procedures, to better equip them to make sound command decisions, prior to being permitted to engage in air transport operations.
Stress to all operators carrying out air transport operations, the importance of their pilots making sound command decisions appropriate to these operations, and the need to have a management system for ongoing supervision and monitoring of their staff.