Robinson R44 Raven II, ZK-HUC, wire strike, Motukutuku Point, near Punakaiki, Westland, 9 November 2006
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
06-004
On Thursday 9 November 2006, ZK-HUC, a Robinson R44 helicopter carrying 3 police officers and the pilot, collided with an electricity transmission line during a coastal search. The helicopter incurred minor damage and the pilot landed immediately. He subsequently twice shifted the helicopter to avoid sea damage and to facilitate recovery of the helicopter. The pilot received a serious injury but none of the passengers were injured.
The flight was a permissible low level operation conducted at an appropriate speed and height, but the pilot had not clearly briefed his passengers on the possible hazards at low level, nor had he conducted any form of reconnaissance prior to the low level part of the flight.
The flight was a permissible low level operation conducted at an appropriate speed and height, but the pilot had not clearly briefed his passengers on the possible hazards at low level, nor had he conducted any form of reconnaissance prior to the low level part of the flight.
Location
near Punakaiki (-42.059489,171.364918) [may be approximate]