Incident Overview
On March 30, 2013, at 1300 local time, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter, registration ZK-HIE, was conducting an instructional flight near New Plymouth, New Zealand. During maneuvering, the helicopter experienced a sudden roll to the right and pitched down. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. They were able to regain control of the helicopter and land without further incident.
Damage and Maintenance
The maneuver resulted in mast bumping, which caused damage requiring the replacement of many of the main rotor system components. The helicopter was operated by Ice Aviation Limited under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of New Zealand.
Investigation
The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of New Zealand. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of New Zealand. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in Wellington, New Zealand.