Accident
On May 21, 2012, at 0200 hours coordinated universal time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, registration ZK-HXZ, operated by Way to Go Heliservices, crashed into Lake Sumner, New Zealand. The helicopter, engaged in agricultural weed spraying operations under New Zealand civil aviation regulations, sank in approximately 125 meters of water. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries, and the helicopter was destroyed. The circumstances surrounding the accident remain unknown.
Aircraft and Operator
The aircraft was a Hughes 369D, registered to and operated by Way to Go Heliservices. Its operational role at the time of the accident was agricultural weed spraying. The helicopter was recovered from the lakebed in May 2015, nearly three years after the crash.
Investigation
The accident investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, specifically its Safety Investigations Unit. The authority has not released further details regarding the cause or contributing factors. The report issued is for informational purposes only and contains only the information released by the Government of New Zealand.