Chopper type’s previous failures cited after crash
The model of helicopter involved in a crash that seriously injured four people at a wedding in Canterbury has had similar engine power failures, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says.
Wedding photographer Rachel Jordan, newlyweds Mahdi Zougub and Fay El Hanafy, and a pilot were seriously injured in the crash at Terrace Downs Golf Resort on June 12.
The owner of the helicopter, Wyndon Aviation, said the inquiry was in its early stages but it had been established the engine suffered a ‘‘total power loss shortly after takeoff’’.
‘‘Put simply, the engine had stopped.’’ The CAA has since sent emails advising Robinson 44 II helicopter operators of the crash. The email, seen by The Press, said the initial investigation had found a ‘‘probable engine total power loss occurred’’ while the engine was operating at high power during climb-out. The CAA had also been made aware of an ‘‘anecdotal occurrence’’ in New Zealand where another Robinson R44 II helicopter engine suddenly lost power while on approach to land.
‘‘The maintenance investigation failed to find the apparent cause of the engine power loss,’’ it said. The CAA requested operators of helicopters fitted with the Lycoming IO540 engine, which may have experienced similar engine power loss issues, to get in contact.
A CAA spokesman said it was informed of the earlier incident during the course of its investigation into the June 12 crash.
‘‘This incident was not classed as an accident because the aircraft was able to land safely at the time. A subsequent maintenance investigation was unable to identify the cause of the engine power loss in that instance,’’ he said.
‘‘Our team are working through this investigation thoroughly and methodically,
and are working to gather as much information as they can about factors which may have contributed to the sudden power loss.’’
Wyndon Aviation earlier said such an event was a ‘‘very rare occurrence’’.
‘‘Of just as much concern, however, [is that] investigations to date have been unable to provide an explanation of why the engine suffered a total power loss at such a crucial stage of flight.’’
Investigations into what caused the engine to lose power were continuing.
‘‘This accident will again raise the profile of the Robinson helicopter but it has to be remembered the power plant in the R44 is provided by a reputable third-party manufacturer.’’
Jordan’s husband, Eric Jordan, said it was ‘‘quite encouraging’’ that the CAA appeared to be taking similar issues with Robinson R44 helicopters into ‘‘serious consideration’’.
He hoped the investigation would discover why the engine suddenly lost power. ‘‘Hopefully their investigation will also take other concerning design flaws that have been highlighted in the past into account so that we have a comprehensive view of the dangers posed by the Robinson R44.’’