ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 162691
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| Date: | Wednesday 11 December 2013 |
| Time: | 09:30 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 Mariner |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | ZK-HWJ |
| MSN: | 2595M |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Benmore Station, Canterbury -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On the morning of 11 December 2013, the pilot of a Robinson R22 Mariner, registration ZK-HWJ, was conducting an agricultural spraying operation on farmland in the Hurunui District of Canterbury. The helicopter departed the loading area and a few minutes later the ground loader heard a loud bang. The ground loader went on foot toward the treatment area and located the helicopter wreckage. The wreckage, located at the bottom of a steep slope below the treatment area, was on fire. The post-impact fire had enveloped most of the cabin and airframe. The pilot was found deceased in the wreckage.
A scene examination revealed that the helicopter had touched down heavily in the treatment area, and travelled along rising ground in a level, yawing attitude. The resultant unstable condition caused the main rotor blades to make contact with the tail-boom, followed by the helicopter rolling three times downhill.
Factors contributing to the accident included:
· the inherent risks of low level operational manoeuvres
· the helicopter’s weight and balance being outside the Flight Manual limitations
· inaccurate weight and balance information being provided to the pilot, post installation of role equipment, including spray equipment and GPS systems
· inaccurate data provided to CAA during the testing and certification of the Helipod III spray system modification
· a lack of robust CAA appraisal and approval of the Helipod III modification.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. http://helihub.com/2013/12/11/11-dec-13-robinson-r22-mt-percy-new-zealand-1f/
2. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11170734
3. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9503437/Pilot-killed-in-helicopter-crash
4. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/police-name-helicopter-pilot-killed-in-crash-5771032
5. http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/chopper-crashes-in-rough-canterbury-countryside-2013121110
6. http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/20559/pilot-dies-helicopter-crash
7. http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/name-released-north-canterbury-helicopter-crash
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Dec-2013 00:02 | Geno | Added |
| 12-Dec-2013 20:18 | Alpine Flight | Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Damage] |
| 13-Dec-2013 01:47 | Geno | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 13-Dec-2013 06:59 | geo | Updated [Operator] |
| 15-Oct-2016 17:54 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Registration, Cn, Location, Source, Narrative] |
| 15-Oct-2016 17:57 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Aircraft type] |
| 22-Aug-2018 22:13 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source] |
| 10-Apr-2021 12:36 | harro | Updated [Date, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Narrative, Category] |
| 10-Apr-2021 12:37 | harro | Updated [Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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