Fatal R22 accident New Zealand
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Taken from New Zealand Herald...
Debris fell from copter before crash
18.01.2003
MASTERTON - A piece of debris was seen to fall from the sky moments before a helicopter crashed killing the pilot near Masterton yesterday.
The 36-year-old helicopter pilot, the sole occupant, was Roy Cameron Kritos. He died at the scene.
Mr Kritos was living at the Hood Aerodrome while training as a flying instructor with Heli-Flight NZ.
A witness said today she was sitting in her lounge when she saw a piece of the machine fall to the ground moments before the helicopter, a Robinson 22, plunged to the ground.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said she heard a crack, looked up, saw the piece fall and then watched as the copper crashed into a barley field about 300m from her house.
Speaking at the crash scene this morning Civil Aviation Air chief accident inspector Richard White said his first thoughts were that the helicopter appeared to have dropped very suddenly.
The wreckage was scattered over about a 100 m radius with several pieces of wreckage separate from the main crash site, he said.
The partner of the dead man travelled to Masterton last night.
Heli-flight chief executive Andy McKay said the company would give its full support to Civil Aviation.
The company, which had been operating since 1981, had an excellent safety record, he said.
- NZPA
Debris fell from copter before crash
18.01.2003
MASTERTON - A piece of debris was seen to fall from the sky moments before a helicopter crashed killing the pilot near Masterton yesterday.
The 36-year-old helicopter pilot, the sole occupant, was Roy Cameron Kritos. He died at the scene.
Mr Kritos was living at the Hood Aerodrome while training as a flying instructor with Heli-Flight NZ.
A witness said today she was sitting in her lounge when she saw a piece of the machine fall to the ground moments before the helicopter, a Robinson 22, plunged to the ground.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said she heard a crack, looked up, saw the piece fall and then watched as the copper crashed into a barley field about 300m from her house.
Speaking at the crash scene this morning Civil Aviation Air chief accident inspector Richard White said his first thoughts were that the helicopter appeared to have dropped very suddenly.
The wreckage was scattered over about a 100 m radius with several pieces of wreckage separate from the main crash site, he said.
The partner of the dead man travelled to Masterton last night.
Heli-flight chief executive Andy McKay said the company would give its full support to Civil Aviation.
The company, which had been operating since 1981, had an excellent safety record, he said.
- NZPA
