What happened
On January 20, 2011, at approximately 12:15 local time, a Bell 206L3 helicopter, registration ZK-ISF, ditched into the ocean off the north coast of Auckland, New Zealand. The aircraft was in straight and level flight at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet MSL when the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. The rotorcraft subsequently crashed into the water and became submerged in approximately 50 feet of water. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained one minor injury and there were no fatalities.
The investigation
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) retrieved and examined the aircraft. As part of the technical investigation, the engine was dismantled in New Zealand. The fuel pump, Fuel Control Unit (FCU), and power turbine governor were removed and transported to Rolls Royce in the United States. These components were subsequently sent to Honeywell facilities in South Bend, Indiana, for teardown and detailed examination.