What happened
On the morning of November 21, 2015, an Airbus Helicopters AS350 ‘Squirrel’, registered ZK-HKU, departed from a base near Fox Glacier for a scenic flight. The flight, which included the pilot and six passengers, was intended to include a snow landing at the Chancellor Shelf. Despite earlier flight cancellations due to poor weather, the pilot proceeded with the mission.
During the flight, the pilot contacted another aircraft to check weather conditions in the nearby Franz Josef Glacier valley, which indicated unsuitable conditions. Shortly after being seen climbing toward the Chancellor Shelf, the helicopter disappeared. A subsequent search located the wreckage on the glacier, approximately 800 feet below the shelf. There were no survivors, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) conducted an extensive inquiry, examining the wreckage, engine components, and flight records. Investigators used passenger camera footage to reconstruct the flight path, which revealed that the helicopter had successfully landed on the Chancellor Shelf for a snow walk before the fatal descent.
Technical examinations of the recovered dynamic assemblies and the engine showed no evidence of mechanical failure. The investigation also scrutinized the operator's training protocols and the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) oversight of the company's operations.
Findings
The investigation determined that the weather conditions on the day were unstable and did not meet the minimum requirements for safe flight. It is highly probable that the pilot's ability to maintain visual references was compromised by cloud, precipitation, flat light, or condensation on the windscreen.
Crucially, the Commission found that the pilot lacked the necessary training and experience required for a senior pilot in such operations. The operator's training system was poorly defined and failed to comply with Civil Aviation Rules. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a significant failure in management oversight, as the operator's training deficiencies were not adequately addressed by senior personnel.
Safety action
The Commission identified serious safety issues regarding the operator's failure to prepare pilots for their responsibilities and the CAA's failure to intervene despite known non-compliance. Consequently, the Commission recommended that the Director of Civil Aviation initiate an independent review of past surveillance activities to ensure that other operators are not operating under similar unaddressed risks.