Chopper’s weight a factor in crash

There was no mechanical reason for the helicopter crash that killed Jerome Box on Mt Alta near Mt Aspiring National Park, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission has found.

Unadjusted seatbelts, flying with a heavier load and an unintended angle of approach were some of the factors that contributed to the accident that killed the Auckland man on August 16, 2014. The AS350 helicopter, operated by The Helicopter Line, struck the slope heavily after the pilot tried to correct his landing approach. Chief commissioner Jane Meares said the accident caused the cabin to break apart, ejecting five of the seven occupants, before it rolled 300 metres down the mountain.

Two passengers remained strapped to their seats. Box was trapped under the helicopter.

Six passengers suffered moderate to serious injuries.

‘‘The commission found it was very likely that several of the passengers’ seatbelts were not securely adjusted, which made it more likely that they would be ejected,’’ Meares said.

‘‘The helicopter was loaded 30 kilograms over the maximum permissible weight, and its centre of gravity was just forward of what was allowed, and was operating at or close to the performance limit for hovering in this situation.’’

The investigation into the crash on the ridge line in the Southern Alps also found other safety issues.

Pilots weren’t routinely required to calculate the performance capability of their helicopters for the intended flight.

There was also a risk of pilots not knowing their aircraft’s capability when using the standard passenger weight. The commission found that this accident and others suggest a culture among New Zealand pilots of operating aircraft beyond their limits.

The weather was fine, clear with light variable winds. The Helicopter Line was using several AS350-B2 (Squirrel) helicopters to ferry heli-ski groups to the top of ski runs.