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Words fail... needless tragedy

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121...re-fatal-crash

Quote:

The helicopter involved in a fatal crash on a wooded West Coast hillside was not airworthy, a report has found.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has published its final report about the crash of a Robinson R22 helicopter that killed Reefton pilot Noel Edward Wilson on March 27, 2017.

Chief investigator of accidents Aaron Holman said the commission was unable to conclusively determine what happened in the final seconds before the crash. However, it happened after a series of risk factors lined up, including airworthiness, engine power and flight path.

Wilson, 52, was "an experienced pilot" and was using the helicopter for a hunting operation.
But TAIC found Wilson was not licensed to fly commercially, the helicopter hour meter had been disconnected and its log book did not tally up with the signs of wear and tear on the machine.

https://resources.stuff.co.nz/conten...0620497693.jpgThe crash happened while the helicopter was carrying a low slung load of animal carcasses. Wilson was bringing them back to his property and had left the hunter in the bush.

Wilson was the only person on board when the crash happened. He was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed.

"The helicopter wasn't airworthy, and it was unlikely the engine was producing its maximum specified power," Holman said.

"When the commission's investigators examined the wreckage, they found discrepancies between the helicopter’s logbook recorded operational time and the life of major components.

"The helicopter's hour meter had been disconnected, the main rotor blades were time-expired, and the engine showed signs of wear inconsistent with the hours recorded in its logbook."

The commission noted the pilot was conducting a commercial flight, which was beyond the privileges of his private pilot licence.

"Everyone involved in private air transport and recreational flying should understand the risk to the public if an aircraft operator chooses to disregard civil aviation rules for licence category and airworthiness," Holman said.

The commission did not make any recommendations.

Wilson's sister, Carol Wilson, said the family did not wish to comment on the report.

At the time of the crash, she said her brother's death had sent ripples through the small community of Reefton.

"[He was] a West Coaster through and through," she said.

"He grew up with a love of flying and outdoor life and followed his childhood dream of being a pilot. He flew everything from microlights, gyrocopters and fixed wing to helicopters.

"He expanded this passion by teaching others how to fly. Noel was an experienced pilot and took every opportunity to be in the sky."

https://resources.stuff.co.nz/conten...0620497693.jpg

So many risks taken :(

Quote:

"He expanded this passion by teaching others how to fly.

But not commercially licenced, in a timex aircraft, Hobbs disconnected, blades out of hours, engine not been overhauled. What could possibly go wrong. Students should consider themselves lucky to still be here.

Reading that is beyond comprehension. It’s like a bunch of kids f..king about in a totally unroadworthy car on a Friday night... that also often ends in disaster.

Tragedy? A tragedy would have been if he had taken an innocent passenger or student with him.

It might sound harsh to say it but from reading that article, it sounds like the owner/pilot brought it all on himself.

Unfortunately this is what legitimate helicopter operators are competing with in NZ. they pull the hobbs and don't record hours.
Helicopters are so cheap here, and there are so many, and it is way to easy to get into the game.

And it might sound callous, but i have no sympathy for guys that do this. I feel sorry for their family because they didn't know how much of a cowboy they were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravo73 (Post 10795468)

My reading of the story is that his intention was to go back for the hunter (client?) after he first slung the carcasses back.

Sounds like a selfish, callous man who put a low value on his and others lives.

Robinson Helicopter Company R22, ZK-IHA, Impact with terrain, Near Reefton, 27 March 2017

Main page for investigation
https://www.taic.org.nz/inquiry/ao-2017-002

Report:
https://www.taic.org.nz/sites/defaul...02%20Final.pdf

Darwinism in action.

You beat me to it Shy - when will people learn that shortcuts in aviation kill people? At least in this case, it was only his own head the loaded gun was pointed at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperF (Post 10795550)

I will no longer fly, ride in or let any family member in a Robinson that’s been operated in NZ. Seems unless it’s been machine solely used for training they are thrashed. I’ve been waiting at a chiller awhile ago and an R44 arrived, 3 pax on board and 5 deer underneath . When I say arrived that’s putting it politely. That helicopter then went back onto P135 ops until the next hunting job.

"I’ve been waiting at a chiller awhile ago and an R44 arrived, 3 pax on board and 5 deer underneath . When I say arrived that’s putting it politely. That helicopter then went back onto P135 ops until the next hunting job"

Did you contact the CAA about what you had seen?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMike (Post 10799828)

Yep, wishy washy reply that they will look into it. Nothing would have happened. With the shake up with CAA happening perhaps they will become more vigilant.