Update on the accident -
Port Hills helicopter crash caused by a cable striking the tail rotor
Strangely the local NZ CAA Vector "safety" magazine Jan/Feb issue carried an article about exactly this potential problem in the month prior to the accident.
Even worse - nowhere in the article does it say that the pictures in the article depict an incorrectly rigged/operated Bambi bucket!!! Who knew?
Vector Magazine Jan/Feb 2017 - Page 7 - External Loads – How Much Do You Really Know?
In the case of quite a few operators and the NZ CAA apparently - not enough?
From the Bambi Operators Manual -
WARNING
Using a Bambi bucket with a greater overall length than the distance from the cargo hook to the front tip of the tail rotor on your helicopter could result in a tail rotor strike and possible loss of control of the helicopter which could result in injury or death.
Important Note
It is recommended that operators, who choose to use the Bambi bucket with a longline, ensure that the longline is at least 50’ long.
If all else fails - RTFM.
