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Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative: The pilot of an Aérospatiale AS 350B2 Ecureuil had just lifted a pylon to set up a seven storey high Telecom-sponsored Christmas tree in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour and descending slowly when main rotor clipped a cable and the helicopter flipped and crashed. The pilot survived with only some bruises.
The safety investigation revealed that the SK75 Spectra lifting line did not release normally from the helicopter’s hook when commanded, after the tower lift. This was primarily due to the attachment of the lifting line fixed loop directly to the hook, instead of using a shackle and chain arrangement between the lifting line and the hook.