Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
An investigation into a fatal helicopter crash at Kekerengu, north of Kaikōura, found the pilot's inexperience was a key factor in the accident.
Canterbury couple Andrew Davidson, 60, and his wife Lin Chen, 39, were killed when their helicopter spiralled out of control and crashed while landing at Kekerengu, in December 2020. Their two children and a friend survived.
Davidson was flying the group from Rangiora to The Store near the Kekerengu River mouth for lunch.
The weather was suitable for flying - there were clear skies and a moderate northeasterly onshore breeze.
A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report found Davidson did not pick up on visual indications about the helicopter's performance when he transitioned from cruise to hover - a critical phase of the flight.
Davidson had not landed at the cafe before and was conducting a flyover of the intended landing site.
When he slowed down and turned toward the beach for a second look at the site, the helicopter spun out of control as it transitioned from cruise to hover.
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TAIC chief investigator of accidents Naveen Kozhuppakalam said it was likely the pilot was focused more on the landing site and preparing for landing, than on controlling the tail rotor.
The tail rotor is used to control which way the helicopter points - the slower the airspeed, the more the pilot needs to adjust the tail rotor.
"The pilot's experience level - newly qualified as a private pilot - was the key factor in their inability to regain control after being startled by the sudden yaw."
One of the three main rotor blades had separated during impact and was found washed up more than 100 metres north, while the outer portions of the two remaining blades were severely damaged.
The impact forces in the crash were determined to be non-survivable - but the three children in the helicopter at the time - all aged 12 and under - did survive, albeit with injuries, likely because of their smaller size and mass.
Davidson began flying helicopters in January 2019, less than two years before the accident, and gained his private pilot's licence in March 2020. He had purchased the Eurocopter EC120-B helicopter two months before the accident.
The commission identified no new sector-wide safety issues, so made no new recommendations following the accident - but Kozhuppakalam said all pilots, instructors and examiners could learn from the findings in the report.
"It may seem obvious but it bears repeating: the number one priority for all pilots when flying is to fly the aircraft. A pilot qualification, licence or aircraft-type rating does not in itself confer expertise."
The commission said pilots need to know their limitations, be familiar with the aircraft they are flying and their own capability as they gain experience.