NZ CAA pushing for helicopter law changes
24 APRIL 2004
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was pushing for law changes to regulations covering some former military helicopters flying in New Zealand, such as the Iroquois which crashed near Wyndham yesterday, CAA spokesman Bill Sommer said.
Tony Bell, of Waimumu, died when the former US military Bell 204 UH1B Iroquois helicopter he was flying crashed about 9am, 12km from Wyndham.
Mr Sommer said yesterday's crash was the fourth fatal accident, and sixth death, involving the former military Iroquois helicopters in New Zealand.
All have occurred since 2001.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission, which is investigating the crash, said initial reports indicated an in-flight break-up.
A helicopter industry source told The Southland Times the nature of the wreckage indicated the chopper's blade broke off in the air.
The blade landed on the ground about 600m from the rest of the wreckage.
Mr Bell would have died the instant the blade snapped off due to gyro rigidity, the source said.
"The force of the machine compensating for not having the blade on one side can snap you in half – it's the worst thing any of us (pilots) can think of.
"When a blade comes off like that, even if the chopper was sitting on the ground you can be killed."
The source was critical of the accident rate of former US military Iroquois helicopters.
"Most of them are old, cheap military helicopters from overseas that seem to be having too many catastrophic failures. With the mandatory maintenance we are required to do, a blade shouldn't just fall off a helicopter," the source said.
In October 2002 the CAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive, requiring tension straps on Iroquois to be replaced after 1200 hours or 24 months since their installation, whichever came first.
The directive was intended to prevent failure of the strap, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of the helicopter.
Mr Sommer said the use of former military helicopters was restricted. They could not carry fare-paying passengers.
"These helicopters have been built, used, and maintained with the military in mind, which is not always suitable for civilian use.
Most were used in New Zealand for agricultural work.
The helicopters had been imported with United States Federal Aviation Authority clearance, and did not have to obtain New Zealand clearance unless they were modified, Mr Sommer said.
"For example, the one in this crash had some approvals granted to allow it to attach a sprayer."
CAA records show the helicopter involved in yesterday's crash was built in 1969 and imported to New Zealand in 1995.
Mr Sommer said the CAA had commissioned a review of the helicopters in 2001 and proposals were in place to improve their safety record.
Existing owners of the choppers were now required to submit them to a civilian maintenance regime which was much more suitable than a military one, Mr Sommer said.
The helicopter involved in yesterday's crash had its new regime approved last week.
Anyone wanting to import the helicopters in future could face tougher conditions if the proposed law changes went through, Mr Sommer said.
"People will still be able to buy them but if the rule changes go through, they will be further restricted to what they can use them for.
"They will also have to submit them to tougher maintenance regimes as well."
It was hoped this would improve their safety record, Mr Sommer said.