Flight incident an ‘error’

A new $13 million rescue helicopter has had a bumpy start to service with an investigation launched before it even arrived in the country.

The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating an in-flight incident involving pilot error as the new chopper was being flown across Europe, ready to be shipped to Auckland.

But the helicopter’s owners say the incident was minor and the investigation will not delay its midNovember launch.

Earlier this year, the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust purchased a AW169 twin-turbine helicopter from Italian manufacturer Leonardo.

Chief executive Greg Barrow and projects manager Dave Walley travelled to Italy to pick it up and transport it to Belgium where it was to be dismantled and shipped here.

Walley piloted the flight and Barrow, also a very experienced pilot, sat up front to assist.

They made a fuel stop in France and about 90 minutes after they took off Barrow inadvertently pushed a button disconnecting the autopilot, causing the helicopter to “pitch and roll”.

“It gave us a bit of a fright,” Barrow said. “But it didn’t drop out of the sky . . . it was more like turbulence . . . It was human error — simple as that.”

As Walley reached over to reengage autopilot, he bumped a dial causing one of the engines to go into idle mode. “We put the engine back into flight mode and carried on,” Barrow said.

They reported it to ARHT safety manager Phillip Stott who, following process, advised the CAA.

A CAA spokeswoman confirmed an investigation was under way.

The aircraft, which is too big for the base at Mechanics Bay, will be based at Ardmore or Whitianga.