Fig.9 from the report. The two incident helicopters airborne during their departure manoevres
Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 (ZK IDB) and EC130B4 (ZK IUP), Reported close air proximity, Queenstown Aerodrome, 27 December 2022
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
What happened
In the early afternoon of Tuesday 27 December 2022 an Airbus Helicopters EC130B4, ZK IUP, was cleared to depart from the southern apron, the general aviation (GA) movement area of Queenstown aerodrome. A second helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, ZK IDB, was cleared to depart number two after ZK IUP. It was a fine and calm day.
While ZK IDB was departing it passed above and to the left of ZK IUP and took the lead out of the southern apron. Both flights continued uneventfully.
Why it happened
The pilot of ZK IDB did not positively identify the location of ZK IUP because of the initial orientation of their helicopter, and the location of a hangar between the two helipads.
The pilot of ZK IDB assumed that ZK IUP had already departed, given the time since each helicopter had received their clearance to take off.
A reported evasive manoeuvre was found to be a standard turn on departure by ZK IDB. At their closest point, the helicopters were found to be 44 metres (m) apart.
The Queenstown Aerodrome southern apron layout, requiring all helicopter movements to arrive and depart via the intersection of taxiways Bravo and Yankee, creates a bottleneck for helicopter operations.
The congestion and visibility issues of helicopters operating at Queenstown Aerodrome have been identified by the Queenstown Milford User Group and Queenstown Airport Corporation. Actions are being taken to resolve the issues.
The Commission found one systemic safety issue and, as a result of safety action already taken, has made no recommendation.
What we can learn
Complex and restrictive operating environments can impact a pilot’s ability to build an accurate mental model.
Onboard helicopter recording systems provide valuable assistance to safety investigations.
Aerodrome layout and aircraft movements need to be assessed regularly for safety of operations, especially when daily aircraft movement rates increase.
Who may benefit
Aerodrome operators and planners, air traffic control personnel, helicopter company operators and pilots may all benefit from this report.
In the early afternoon of Tuesday 27 December 2022 an Airbus Helicopters EC130B4, ZK IUP, was cleared to depart from the southern apron, the general aviation (GA) movement area of Queenstown aerodrome. A second helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, ZK IDB, was cleared to depart number two after ZK IUP. It was a fine and calm day.
While ZK IDB was departing it passed above and to the left of ZK IUP and took the lead out of the southern apron. Both flights continued uneventfully.
Why it happened
The pilot of ZK IDB did not positively identify the location of ZK IUP because of the initial orientation of their helicopter, and the location of a hangar between the two helipads.
The pilot of ZK IDB assumed that ZK IUP had already departed, given the time since each helicopter had received their clearance to take off.
A reported evasive manoeuvre was found to be a standard turn on departure by ZK IDB. At their closest point, the helicopters were found to be 44 metres (m) apart.
The Queenstown Aerodrome southern apron layout, requiring all helicopter movements to arrive and depart via the intersection of taxiways Bravo and Yankee, creates a bottleneck for helicopter operations.
The congestion and visibility issues of helicopters operating at Queenstown Aerodrome have been identified by the Queenstown Milford User Group and Queenstown Airport Corporation. Actions are being taken to resolve the issues.
The Commission found one systemic safety issue and, as a result of safety action already taken, has made no recommendation.
What we can learn
Complex and restrictive operating environments can impact a pilot’s ability to build an accurate mental model.
Onboard helicopter recording systems provide valuable assistance to safety investigations.
Aerodrome layout and aircraft movements need to be assessed regularly for safety of operations, especially when daily aircraft movement rates increase.
Who may benefit
Aerodrome operators and planners, air traffic control personnel, helicopter company operators and pilots may all benefit from this report.
Location
Queenstown Airport southern apron area (-45.023673,168.741890) [may be approximate]