Helicopter crash pilot Rick Lucas loses licence, Heliforce loses operating certificate
Pilot Rick Lucas, whose helicopter crashed in Porirua harbour, is grounded after having his licence taken away, and the company for which he was flying has lost its certification.
The Civil Aviation Authority would not confirm whether both decisions happened after the May 2 crash north of Wellington.
However, an Official Information Act request confirms Lucas's commercial pilot's licence is "not current", and that Heliforce – for whom he was flying on the day – does not hold an air operation certificate.
Lucas is also facing a charge of careless flying related to earlier incidents in the Wellington region.
He is due in Wellington District Court, charged with operating an aircraft in a careless manner over Pukerua Bay and Wellington.
Lucas, whose Helipro company was put into receivership in 2014, owing an estimated $25 million to $30m, was flying for Heliforce on May 2 when he plunged into the harbour inlet while carrying power poles.
He escaped unharmed from his twin-engine BK117 helicopter.
Crash witness Reuben Kunst said the helicopter was carrying telephone poles when the cable snapped and hit the tail rotor, spinning the chopper around.
At the time, Lucas said he closed the throttles and lowered the lever to try to stop the rotation.
"But it was still a significant impact, and I ended up under the water. I couldn't get the seatbelt off.
"[I] couldn't tell up from down until I saw some light and I was able to head towards the light and emerge in the cockpit, so I was pretty happy."
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is investigating the incident, and its findings are expected by the end of next year.
Neither Lucas nor Heliforce director Dave Borlase would comment on Monday.
- Stuff