AO-1995-020Robinson R22 Beta ZK-HDD, shooter fell from aircraft, near Karamea, 4 December 1995
Aviation
Published date
16 May 1996
Accident/Incident date
4 December 1995
Status
Published
Jurisdiction
New Zealand
Executive summary
On Monday 4 December 1995 at approximately 2010 hours a shooter fell from a Robinson R22 helicopter, ZK-HDD, during an airborne deer hunting operation 18 km north of Karamea, and sustained fatal injuries. The probable cause of the accident was the opening of the karabiner used on the shooter's harness arrangement, by equipment or clothing, thereby causing him to become unrestrained in the helicopter. The safety issue identified is the need to have a restraint system which incorporates safety features to guard against inadvertent release.
Reconsider the issues involved with regard to the appropriate restraint of airborne deer shooters, with a view to ensuring that the equipment used for their restraint incorporates safety features guarding against inadvertent release.
