New Zealand's safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, has commenced its investigation into a dramatic helicopter crash on Auckland's busy waterfront earlier this week.
The accident – dramatic footage of which has since been shown around the globe on mainstream television – involved a Eurocopter AS350B2, registered ZK-HIG, whose rotors struck a wire while it was attempting to erect a large Christmas tree at Auckland’s Viaduct Basin.
Despite the incredible drama at the scene, which saw the aircraft’s tail nearly snap off from the rest of the aircraft, the pilot, Greg Gribble, walked away shaken but unharmed.
The aircraft, operated by Helisika Agricultural Ltd, was carrying out an operation on the morning of Wednesday November 23 under Part 133 Helicopter External Load Operations of the Civil Aviation Rules.
Under the rule, the company is not required to seek prior approval from the CAA to carry out lifting work, but if the work is to be done in congested areas, prior planning is required, including, amongst others:
- A thorough risk identification and mitigation process. - Charts depicting flight routes and altitudes. - A means of avoiding obstruction. - Details of actions to be taken in the event of a serious malfunction of the helicopter. - Notification to the local territorial authority (Auckland City Council) of the planned work. - Two-way communications with the ground.
The CAA investigation team, lead by Safety Investigator Steve Walker, have been at the scene of the accident examining the wreckage in situ, interviewing the pilot and witnesses in an attempt to develop a clear understanding of the work that was being carried out when the accident occurred.
The operator’s compliance with these requirements will form part of the CAA investigation, which is ongoing. The CAA intends to publish its report on this accident within four weeks.
For those who've not yet seen it, here's footage from the accident:
(Image courtest of Sky News/TVNZ.CO.NZ)
