Executive summary
On Tuesday 28 March 2000 at 1014 hours, ZK-HJN, a Hughes 369FF helicopter, was on a charter flight from Te Anau Aerodrome to West Arm, Lake Manapouri. Approaching to land, the helicopter struck a power line and impacted the ground heavily. The pilot and 4 passengers on board died in the accident and the helicopter was destroyed. Safety issues identified were the criteria for the marking of wires and overhead structures, and the requirement to expedite amendments to Civil Aviation Rules for wire marking. Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Civil Aviation.
Related Recommendations
Include "established structures" in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making on assessment of new or altered structures that comprise overhead wires or cables, and to expedite the production of a draft final Civil Aviation Rule to the Minister.
Review the planned criteria for the marking of overhead wires and structures, to give increased priority to large spans, like West Arm.