RNZAF Helicopter Crash near Wellington, April 2010 - 3 Killed

[Ned-Air2Air]

Just heard on the news that an RNZAF helo has crashed near wellington with 3 dead.

Will post more when I hear.

Ned
:(

[Ned-Air2Air]

Anzac Day chopper crash kills three


LATEST: Three people are dead after an Air Force iroquois helicopter crashed into a farm north of Wellington.

Police confirmed that the Anzac Day crash happened about 6.45am. The wreckage was found on a farm, off Paekakariki Hill Rd and near Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington.

Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead, and a fourth was taken to hospital in a serious to critical condition.

Few details were available but it's understood the chopper was one of three iroquois helicopters travelling to Wellington.

Several emergency services - including the Westpac rescue helicopter - are involved.

[Never in Balance]

Sad to hear this on such a day for the New Zealand and Australian returned and serving services.

[Ned-Air2Air]

Three people are dead and one is seriously injured after a fatal crash of an Iroquois military helicopter north of Wellington this morning.

Police and ambulance services said they were called to the scene on farmland near the Paekakariki Hill Rd, about 40km north east of Wellington about 6.45am.

An ambulance spokeswoman told NZPA three people died in the crash.

A fourth person had serious injuries and was being transported by ambulance to Wellington Hospital.

Defence Force communications director Commander Phil Bradshaw said in a statement there would be no official comment until the force had established what happened.

Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan told NZPA she could see the crash site from her window.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.

"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."

Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area.

The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, Ms McLauchlan said.

[Ned-Air2Air]

Police confirmed that the Anzac Day crash happened about 6.45am. The wreckage was found on a farm, off Paekakariki Hill Rd and near Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington.

Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead, and a fourth was taken to Wellingon Hospital in a serious to critical condition.

The Defence Force confirmed the RNZAF iroqouis was one of three from Ohakea Air Base going to Wellington for a Anzac Day service.

Several emergency services - including the Westpac rescue helicopter - are involved.

A HeliPro pilot, Ned Lee, who had flown over the crash scene said he was surprised anyone had survived.

He said the helicopter was upside down on the hillside.

Defence Force communications director Commander Phil Bradshaw said in a statement there would be no official comment until the force had established what happened.

Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan said she could see the crash site from her window.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.

"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."

Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area.

The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, Ms McLauchlan said.

Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area and had been using the beach adjacent to the hills and State Highway 1 to transport the injured to an ambulance.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/KiwiNed/Station%20Fire/3620677.jpg

[Ned-Air2Air]

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/KiwiNed/Station%20Fire/3620697.jpg

[Ned-Air2Air]

Three people were killed and another seriously injured after an Air Force iroquois helicopter crashed into a farm north of Wellington early this morning.

Police confirmed that the Anzac Day crash happened about 6.45am. The wreckage was found on a farm, off Paekakariki Hill Rd and near Pukerua Bay.

Four people were onboard. A Wellington Free Ambulance spokeswoman said three people were dead.

A fourth person was been transported by ambulance to Wellington Hospital, where the man was in a serious but stable condition, a hospital spokesperson said.

The Defence Force confirmed the RNZAF iroqouis was one of three from Ohakea Air Base going to Wellington for a Anzac Day service.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Kapiti Mana police area commander Inspector John Spence, said initially the crash site was "very difficult to find.”

"It is a very, very sad day.

"This is an extremely poignant time for us, especially those in the Defence Force…

"This has happened on a special day for New Zealand."

He praised the efforts of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter who through some "pretty impressive flying" were able to winch a paramedic to the scene to confirm that three had died and one man was still alive.

"Initially we were only able to winch people in and out. The first priority was to see if anyone was alive."

Mr Spence said the scene was made harder to access because of low cloud and police, along with rescue services, were "still in a phase of trying to get in to the scene."

It was hoped a farm track would be accessible by four-wheeled drive vehicles; however the actual crash scene was in a steep ravine.

Mr Spence said he believed planned Anzac Day services would run as normal throughout the country.

He said next-of-kin were still in the process of being informed.

A HeliPro pilot, Ned Lee, who had flown over the crash scene said he was surprised anyone had survived.

He said the helicopter was upside down on the hillside and severly damaged.

Defence Force communications director Commander Phil Bradshaw said in a statement there would be no official comment until the force had established what happened.

Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area and had been using the beach adjacent to the hills and State Highway 1 to transport the injured to an ambulance.

EYEWITNESS REPORTS

Kirsty Sullivan, who lives at Raumati Beach, said she was awoken when the iroquois passed over her beachfront home.

"They were all flying quite low, but were flying west of my house, over the beach, away from any trees or tall buildings, except for one.”

"We are one of the taller buildings in my area (3 storeys) and the iroquois was probably about 30 metres east and 10 metres above my house."
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She said the mist was worst at around 6am when a previous iroquois passed her home.

Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan said she could see the crash site from her window.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.

"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."

Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area.

The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, Ms McLauchlan said.

TRAGIC YEAR

The crash further mars a tragic year for the Air Force.

In January, Squadron Leader Nicholas Haydn Cree, 32, a flight commander at the central training school, died when his CT4 Airtrainer crashed near Ohakea.

Sqn Ldr Cree was one of five members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Red Checkers aerobatic team practising a stunt, when he crashed.

[Ned-Air2Air]

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/KiwiNed/3620774.jpg

[kaikohe76]

A very tragic day for all involved in the New Zealand Military Forces, in particular to day 25th April, as we honour all our Service Personnel from times past & also the present.
Deepest condolences to the family & colleagues of those Service members who tragically lost their lives this morning, in carrying out their duties for us.
God Bless
K76

[Ned-Air2Air]

Investigators have been sifting through wreckage trying to discover why an Air Force Iroquois helicopter on its way to Anzac Day activities crashed early today, killing three airmen and seriously injuring another.
The Defence Force has named the three men as Flying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory, pilot, 28; Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson, helicopter crewman, 25, and Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen, pilot, 33.
The Iroquois was on its way from Ohakea Air Base in Manawatu to Anzac Day commemorations in Wellington when it crashed shortly before 6am in rugged terrain near Pukerua Bay, about 40km northeast of Wellington.
The three men died at the scene. The bodies of the three men were recovered from the crash site shortly before 5pm.
Prime Minister John Key is cutting short his trip to Turkey and the Gulf states to attend the funeral of the three air men.
A fourth unnamed man was winched from the scene and transported to Wellington Hospital, where he is in a serious but stable condition. One News reported that it understood the man had suffered chest and leg injuries and had undergone surgery.
Speaking at a press conference at Ohakea Air Base, Air Vice Marshall Graham Lintott was visibly upset as he spoke of the crash "with deep and heart felt regret".
"We had to inform family today of the worst news anyone can hear of their loved ones."
"Today we remember those who lost their lives at Gallipoli… now we must add three more.
"They were all too young… and now we mourn their loss.
Air Vice Marshall Lintott, who paused as he was overcome with emotion, said he was "immensely proud of our young fliers and all those in our Air Force family".
He said today’s incident was "one of the worst" crashes the Air Force has dealt with.
"We haven’t had three fatalities in one accident in decades."
He said the last was in a crash into the Kaipara Harbour in 1972.
Air Vice Marshall Lintott said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash but something obviously went "very, very wrong".
"The flight regime would have been standard, the weather was poor, but we fly in poor weather all the time," he said.
"We do fly in inclement weather."
Air Vice Marshall Lintott said night vision glasses were on board at the time, but the investigation would reveal whether or not they were being used by the pilots.
"Any death is wasteful and I guess when you lose three people, it's just that much harder to take at the time."
He said the two other helicopters did not see what happened to the third.
"We believe the formation split up and went their individual way. One landed at Wellington, one landed at Paraparaumu, and the other one… we know what happened."
He said Air Force staff has been with the next-of-kin all morning.
"We are flying their next-of-kin from around New Zealand… providing ever possible support to the family," he said.
"Our rules is that our families provide such staunch support… we consider them Air Force family. … We will give them every support and services we can over the next few weeks… and months."
PM TO ATTEND FUNERAL
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Stuff that Mr Key is planning to return to New Zealand and the prime minister's office has just confirmed that he plans to be back by Tuesday morning.
Mr Key has been in Turkey for the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli and was planning to join a trade delegation to Bahrain and Kuwait.
Mr Key expressed shock and sorrow at the deaths of the three Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel.
Mr Key is in Gallipoli for Anzac Day to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the landings by Australian and New Zealand forces there.
"I was informed early this morning of the crash," said Mr Key.
"I am shocked and saddened by this tragic event. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, the family of the injured man, and the entire New Zealand Defence Force.
"To have this happen when the helicopter was heading to Wellington for an Anzac Day flypast is an absolute tragedy.
"I am sure that all New Zealanders will join with me in offering the families of the victims, and the Defence Force, our deepest condolences."
INCORRECT REPORT GIVEN TO DEFENCE MINISTER
Meanwhile, Wellington Hospital spokeswoman Raylene Bateman said reports that the fourth air force member had died were "absolutely incorrect" and the inaccuracies were "upsetting" to the Defence Force and the man's family.
He is described as being in a serious but stable condition.
"I cannot say what the nature of his injures are but it is my understanding that his injuries are not life threatening," Ms Bateman said.
Dr Mapp reportedly told Anzac commemorations in Auckland that the fourth crew member died in hospital – however a spokesman for the minister since confirmed that the information was incorrect.
Dr Mapp's press secretary said he received information from a senior official that Dr Mapp "should have been able to trust."
"He is very sorry for any confusion or misinformation."
RESCUE OPERATION
Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew chief Dave Greenberg said today's rescue operation was technically challenging because of low cloud and steep terrain, but was made all the more difficult because it involved a military helicopter and was on Anzac Day.
"It's definitely sad; whenever it's a helicopter you always think 'there but the grace of God go I'.
"It's a bad thing to happen any day, but to happen on Anzac Day is terribly ironic.
"I'm gutted at the moment to be honest; all in all it's a pretty solemn day."
Mr Greenberg said the rescue chopper had been collecting a Wellington Hospital doctor and nurse for an unrelated case when they got this morning's call.
The Rescue Coordination Centre told them an emergency locator beacon had activated at Pukerua Bay and there was possibly an Iroquois down.
The rescue helicopter diverted to the scene and made contact with a second Iroquois crew, which was searching in the area.
Mr Greenberg said the second Air Force crew had determined the likely crash site and dropped off a crewman on a ridge to walk down into the steep gully. At the same time, the rescue helicopter was following the beacon signal and moving slowly into the same gully.
The rescue pilot spotted the wreckage and was able to make phone contact and direct the Air Force searcher, who confirmed there was one victim still alive.
A Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic was winched down to help and the patient was transferred to a waiting ambulance.
"The injured guy did really well. He'd managed to jam himself against a bush to stop him rolling down the hill. He was probably 20 to 25 metres from the wreckage," Mr Greenberg said.
TRAGIC DAY FOR DEFENCE FORCE
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Kapiti Mana police area commander Inspector John Spence, said initially the crash site was "very difficult to find.”
"It is a very, very sad day.
"This is an extremely poignant time for us, especially those in the Defence Force…
"This has happened on a special day for New Zealand."
He praised the efforts of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter who through some "pretty impressive flying" were able to winch a paramedic to the scene to confirm that three had died and one man was still alive.
"Initially we were only able to winch people in and out. The first priority was to see if anyone was alive."
Mr Spence said the scene was made harder to access because of low cloud and police, along with rescue services, were "still in a phase of trying to get in to the scene."
It was hoped a farm track would be accessible by four-wheeled drive vehicles; however the actual crash scene was in a steep ravine.
Mr Spence said he believed planned Anzac Day services would run as normal throughout the country.
A HeliPro pilot, Ned Lee, who had flown over the crash scene said he was surprised anyone had survived.
He said the helicopter was upside down on the hillside and severely damaged.
Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area and had been using the beach adjacent to the hills and State Highway 1 to transport the injured to an ambulance.
Labour Leader Phil Goff said it was a very sad day for New Zealand and the Defence Force.
"Anzac Day is a day of sadness and poignancy for New Zealand and for this crash to occur today adds to this feeling."
Labour Defence spokesman Pete Hodgson said it was an "extremely shocking crash" that will "impact deeply on our Defence Force personnel who will have day today been remembering fallen comrades of both the past and the present."
Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway said the crash will have an enormous impact on the tight-knit Ohakea community.
"I know the community will rally to support those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy," he said.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS
A Dominion Post reporter, standing around 200m from the crash scene, said an Iroquois helicopter came and hovered over the scene for about five minutes at 10.45am.
"It's really windy, really cold, really misty. There's no movement at the site," she said.
She said there didn't appear to be a rescue teams attempting to get to the site.
"There is so much dense fog."
Kirsty Sullivan, who lives at Raumati Beach, said she was awoken when the Iroquois passed over her beachfront home.
"They were all flying quite low, but were flying west of my house, over the beach, away from any trees or tall buildings, except for one.”
"We are one of the taller buildings in my area (3 storeys) and the iroquois was probably about 30 metres east and 10 metres above my house."
She said the mist was worst at around 6am when a previous Iroquois passed her home.
Pukerua Bay resident Kathy McLauchlan said she could see the crash site from her window.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash were "extremely misty", she said.
"Since the mist has lifted we can see it."
Military and rescue helicopters were circling the area.
The crash happened quite high on the hills overlooking Pukerua Bay, Ms McLauchlan said.
PREVIOUS INCIDENT

The crash further mars a tragic year for the Air Force.
In January, Squadron Leader Nicholas Haydn Cree, 32, a flight commander at the central training school, died when his CT4 Airtrainer crashed near Ohakea.
Sqn Ldr Cree was one of five members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Red Checkers aerobatic team practising a stunt, when he crashed.
- With NZPA and Dominion Post

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/KiwiNed/3620902.jpg

VICTIMS: Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen, pilot, 33; Fying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory, pilot, 28, and Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson, helicopter crewman, 25.

[Nigel Osborn]

Very very sad day for our Kiwi cousins. Looking at that last photo, there doesn't appear to be any cabin/ cockpit area left, so it's amazing one person survived & I hope he recovers fully.

[Hughesy]

RIP Hayden.
Was good to have known you as we learnt to fly civil heli's. It was always good to catch up and see where our careers had gone.
Always remembered.
Forever in the green mate. :(

[Scissorlink]

Deadly Anzac Day Helicopter Crash Findings Released... | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6151607/Mixed-feelings-over-Iroquois-crash-report)

I take my hat off to the NZDF, I thought ithe report was always going to be a cover up and a waste of time, let's hope they learn from their errors.

[krypton_john]

The findings are salutary for private and commercial pilots as much as the military. A surprisingly good report in my humble and uninformed opinion.

[Epiphany]

A good report. The fathers anger and grief are understandable but perhaps he should be told that although his son was not traned to fly in those conditions he was trained to avoid them.

[Tcabot113]

Sorry,

Did I miss a link to the actual report? All I found was the press briefing.

Thanks.

TC

[SASless]

When things go bad....they usually go bad in the worse way at the worse time in the worse place. Over water at night in bad weather...is one of the situations that can get any of us. To compound that by rising terrain....my heart breaks!

EP....sometimes one can get roped into a situation that left to one's own devices you might have avoided. How many times have I gotten into a pickle following some Lead that set us up for a problem.

As tragic as this accident was....the good news is the folks down there have tried to learn from what happened. That doesn't remove the loss and sorrow but hopefully some other families might not have to endure what these folks have.

[bast0n]

Epiphany

Spot on.

D

[Scissorlink]

In formation who is responsible, the lead aircraft? I'm not miltary sorry,

[hihover]

Scissorlink - The formation leader would normally be responsible for everything pertaining to the formation, its constitution, planning, actions on..etc etc. He would not be responsible for the actions of an individual pilot.

This sounds like one of those tragedies where they all had the best of intentions for an important day and the poor guys got caught out. For as long as humans try to conquer the combination of nature and machinery, we will have accidents.

I have not seen the actual report, nor do I have the facts, but according to the news articles, they seem to be chastising the force for a "can do" attitude. Well, as far as I'm concerned, without being irresponsible, it is that "can do" attitude that makes these guys a rather special breed.

The other side of that coin is a "no can do" attitude. That is not what we need from any miltary force.

I sympathise with everyone involved, especially those who lost their sons.

Tam

[Epiphany]

There is a time and a place for a 'can do' attitude and pre-positioning for a ANZAC day fly-past is neither. A bit more of the 'no can do' attitude that day might have saved them.

[hihover]

I beg to differ.

"Can do", and "No can do", are frames of mind that determine how every job is approached. The flypast was obviously a big deal, and they wanted it to happen. The "Can do" approach got them in the air in the middle of the night to try to make that important day a little more special.

I have no doubt that the weather risks were assessed and perceived as acceptable by the formation leader, all crews in the formation and the authorising officer.

Yes, your 20/20 hindsight provides you with wisdom that was not available that morning. I don't think that is a reason to change the attitude of an Air Force to one that says "No can do".

Tam

[Epiphany]

I beg to differ. As you are perfectly entitled to do so.

The problem that I see with the 'can do' attitude is that once committed it doesn't leave much option for retreat. This formation does not appear to have given much thought to that or how to recover safely from IIMC.

I also somehow doubt that the families of the crew were very happy to read the following which could also be described as a 'can do' attitude.

The Defence Force's court of inquiry, released today, into the accident found sub-standard protocols and a culture of "rule breaking" among 3 Squadron was partly to blame.

[SASless]

In the US Army....IIMC recovery was part of our formation flight SOP's as far back as 1968....and I am sure every military aviation organization that flies formation has an SOP, that while not necessarily briefed prior to each formation flight, remains in the individual Aviator's Kitbag of Knowledge.

It does make one question why the positioning flight was not made the day before in the daylight...or in better weather...if the fly by was that important.

[SuperF]

Sas and epiphany, I tend to agree, for a couple of reasons. I also agree that the can do attitude is what makes us New Zealanders, and as long as it doesn't kill us, we either get the job done or learn a great lesson.

It's one of the reasons Sir Ed Hillary conquered Everest!

Unfortunately when it does kill us then we can only hope that others learn from our mistakes. As my instructor said, learn from others mistakes, you won't live long enough to make them all yourself...

Having said that, April 25 doesn't sneak up on us any year, we know that we have dawn parades, we know that the military do fly pasts. I can also tell you that when we, being helicopter pilots, in New Zealand heard that a machine was missing in the fog, we all remembered the weather forecasts from the night before, or infact the few days before, and said of course someone has gone missing, the weather had been marginal for at least a couple of days and the forecast was crap. The military have a base in Wellington, why not go there, I guess that's the question that will always be asked. I hope that they use those options in the future.

[P6 Driver]

An update from the New Zealand Herald;

Officer charged over Anzac Day chopper crash - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869142)

[Gemini Twin]

Doesn't seem right!

[gulliBell]

...I also agree that the can do attitude is what makes us New Zealanders, and as long as it doesn't kill us, we either get the job done or learn a great lesson...

I see it in PNG all the time, Kiwi pilots doing stuff that others wouldn't. Which I guess is part of the reason why Kiwi pilots are so much in favor with the PNG employers (i.e. not many Aussies left in PNG any more).

[RVDT]

SuperF,

Best one yet! :ok:

Sad but true.

[Brian Abraham]

Kiwi pilots doing stuff that others wouldn't.
gulliBell, lets nor get too precious. I recall you happily flogging around at 300 feet in solid IMC. As was I. :E

[gulliBell]

True, but I only flog around at 300' in scud when I'm in an IFR helicopter and I have the option of climbing up into it :ugh: