ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 194429
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| Date: | Monday 27 March 2017 |
| Time: | 18:42 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 Beta |
| Owner/operator: | Grumbles Developments Ltd |
| Registration: | ZK-IHA |
| MSN: | 0188 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Reefton, West Coast -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Westport, New Zealand |
| Investigating agency: | TAIC |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
A Robinson R22 helicopter, registration ZK-IHA, was carrying a slung load as part of a local aerial hunting operation near Reefton. Shortly after take-off, while the helicopter was climbing over densely forested terrain, the helicopter and load struck the tree canopy and then the terrain. The helicopter was destroyed and the pilot, who was the sole person on board, was fatally injured. Location some 5.5 miles north of Reefton.
TAIC Findings:
1. A low-rotor-speed event likely occurred. However, it could not be determined if this event occurred before the initial impact with the tree canopy or during the subsequent descent.
2. The environmental conditions at the time of the accident had the potential to affect the safe conduct of the flight.
3. The engine was in a condition that would have likely prevented it being capable of producing the maximum specified power.
4. The helicopter lifted off and the pilot flew over densely forested terrain, when alternative flight paths were available that offered less risk in the event of an aircraft emergency.
5. The investigation was unable to determine conclusively why the helicopter struck the tree canopy and subsequently the terrain. However, it was likely due to either:
- the engine not delivering the demanded power, or
- the pilot inadvertently not maintaining a suitable clearance above the tree canopy.
6. The helicopter had not been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the Civil Aviation Rules, and the engine showed signs of wear that were inconsistent with the hours recorded in its logbook.
7. The pilot had conducted a commercial flight, which was beyond the privileges of the pilot’s private pilot licence.
8. The Civil Aviation Authority’s regulatory and surveillance controls in place for the noncommercial aviation sector were broadly aligned with international standards and recommendations for this sector.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/88282200/helicopter-crash-near-reefton-west-coast
NTSB
3. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2017/04/robinson-r22-zk-iha-fatal-accident_26.html
4. http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/25221/reefton-helicopter-crash-west-coast
Images:
Photo: TAIC
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Mar-2017 19:21 | angels one five | Added |
| 27-Mar-2017 21:28 | angels one five | Updated [Aircraft type, Narrative] |
| 27-Mar-2017 21:33 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Location, Narrative, Photo, ] |
| 27-Mar-2017 21:44 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Damage] |
| 27-Mar-2017 23:15 | angels one five | Updated [Registration, Cn, Operator, Source] |
| 13-Aug-2018 18:01 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Operator, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 29-May-2020 08:00 | harro | Updated [Time, Narrative, Photo, Accident report, ] |
| 08-Aug-2020 03:52 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location] |
| 07-Feb-2022 04:37 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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