Chopper crash safety concerns

An investigation into a helicopter crash near Porirua has raised concerns about ‘‘maintenance anomalies’’ that could compromise the safety of other choppers.

The interim Transport Accident Investigation Commission report, released yesterday, looked into the twinengine BK117 helicopter that was carrying a power pole across Pauatahanui Inlet in Porirua when it crashed in May, 2017.

The Helipro helicopter began spinning and descended into waist-deep water. Pilot Rick Lucas was the only person on board, and he escaped uninjured.

In its report, the commission said it was ‘‘concerned that other aircraft previously operated by Helipro could have historical maintenance issues that could compromise aviation safety’’.

‘‘The commission investigators identified maintenance anomalies in the records for three other BK117 helicopters previously operated by Helipro,’’ the report said. ‘‘The number and nature of the maintenance anomalies involving the accident helicopter and the three other helicopters create a serious safety issue.’’

Given that Helipro was operating or maintaining a large number of other aircraft at the time, the commission was concerned there could be historical or latent maintenance issues with some of those aircraft.

‘‘These aircraft have all been on-sold and are currently being operated on the New Zealand register by various other companies.’’

The report found the unweighed power pole had been estimated by Lucas to be 800kg but was later found to be 959kg.

Helicopter Association executive officer Bill Macgregor said he had particular concern over the evidence highlighted in the report.

The report suggested the crashed helicopter’s tail rotor had been modified after being imported, despite the modification not being approved by the manufacturer. Serial numbers on the tail rotor blades were also missing.

‘‘That smacks of bad stuff,’’ Macgregor said.

Lucas’ companies went in to receivership in October 2014.