Copter crash exposes ‘serious safety issues’
An investigation – labelled ‘‘confusing’’ by aviation insiders – into a helicopter that crashed 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 twin-engine BK117 helicopter that was carrying a power pole across Pauatahanui Inlet in Porirua when it crashed in May 2017. Pilot Rick Lucas was the only person on board the Helipro chopper and 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 aircraft at the time, the commission was concerned there could be historical or latent maintenance issues with some of those aircraft as well.
‘‘These aircraft have all been on-sold and are currently being operated on the New Zealand register by various other companies.’’
Helicopter Association executive officer Bill MacGregor said he had particular concern over the evidence highlighted in the report. The report suggested the helicopter’s tail rotor had been modified after being imported but it was not approved by the manufacturer. Serial numbers on the tail rotor blades were also missing. ‘‘That smacks of bad stuff.’’
But it was difficult to believe engineers would have performed the maintenance anomalies, he said. ‘‘I’m confused by how things could have happened this way ... pilots put a hell of a lot of faith in engineers and we tend to look at them as very professional.’’
Lucas’ former chief engineer, Tom McCready – a former Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigator – said: ‘‘Many engineers are puzzled by TAIC and CAA actions but the information is protected by legislation so we are unable to help them.’’
Lucas had about 32 helicopters in his fleet. His companies went into receivership in October 2014.
‘‘Pilots put a hell of a lot of faith in engineers.’’ Helicopter Association executive officer Bill MacGregor