TV3 NZ:
Helicopter landing site involved in fatal fall 'treacherous'
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:51a.m.
A landing site chosen by a helicopter pilot whose trophy-hunting passenger fell to his death in Central Otago was "very small" and "treacherous", an expert witness has testified at a Queenstown inquest.
Coroner Alan Macalister yesterday resumed his inquest into the death of American hunter Clifford Wayne Senter, 57, who was killed on May 22, 2006, when he fell down a 184-metre cliff face near Wanaka after stepping out of the helicopter.
Mr Senter, his friend Nelson Rapanot and wives were on a guided expedition with Leithen Valley Trophy Hunts in a helicopter flown by pilot Harvey Hutton.
Giving evidence yesterday, professional mountain and ski guide Gary Dickson, of Wanaka, said the landing site chosen for the hunting party to disembark was very small for three people and treacherous because of slippery conditions, the Otago Daily Times reported.
"I consider it fortunate that there were not further injuries or deaths of at least one or other members of this party that unloaded on to that site under those conditions that afternoon," Mr Dickson told the inquest.
The Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue Team leader was involved in efforts to recover Mr Senter's body and later visited the site as part of the investigation into the fatality.
Following the incident, Mr Dickson identified a list of nine safety issues and recommendations to avoid any similar incident, which he said yesterday were "preliminary findings" to help the police investigation.
His concerns included a lack of communication between hunting guide Rachel Stewart and Mr Hutton, the choice of landing site, the boots worn by Mr Senter, the loss of visual contact between Miss Stewart and Mr Senter moments before he fell, and guides being pressured to "cave in" on safety issues.
Mr Dickson also told Mr Macalister there was a need for a more objective and detailed investigation of the incident, either by himself, an agency such as the Civil Aviation Authority, or another independent organisation.
He said that included what role, if any, the hunting trip's "reward" method of payment - where pilots are paid only if clients successfully shot an animal - played in the tragedy.
Mr Macalister promised a "remorseless" examination of the facts.
He said he would adjourn the inquest at its conclusion to allow Mr Dickson to provide police with a list of his concerns.
The hearing, which sat initially for three days last month, continues today.
NZPA