Aerospatiale AS 350B, ZK-HBH, collision with terrain, Rowallan Forest, Southland, 2 April 1999
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
99-003
On Good Friday, 2 April 1999, Aerospatiale AS350B helicopter ZK-HBH was on a charter flight from Clifden, carrying a hunting party into Fiordland when some loss of control occurred. The helicopter collided with trees and the ground in the Rowallan Forest, killing all 5 occupants.
The cause of the loss of control was not conclusively established, but the pilot's ability to control the helicopter may have been medically impaired by the sudden onset of a cardiac event.
Safety issues identified include:
• the need for a cargo restraint system for helicopter operations
• the need for a passenger list system for helicopter operations.
The cause of the loss of control was not conclusively established, but the pilot's ability to control the helicopter may have been medically impaired by the sudden onset of a cardiac event.
Safety issues identified include:
• the need for a cargo restraint system for helicopter operations
• the need for a passenger list system for helicopter operations.
Location
Rowallan Forest, Southland (-46.044165,167.508545) [may be approximate]