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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 21, 2012 · Hughes 369D D · ZK-HXZ

Lake Sumner, New Zealand, NZ

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Lake Sumner, New Zealand, NZ
Aircraft
Hughes 369D D
Tail Number
ZK-HXZ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12WA446

On May 21, 2012, at 0200 universal coordinated time, a Hughes 369D, ZK-HXZ, registered to and operated by Way to Go Heliservices, crashed into Lake Sumner, New Zealand, under unknown circumstances. The helicopter sank in 125 meters of water and was not recovered until May 2015. The pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was being operated for agricultural weed spraying under the pertinent civil regulations of the Government of New Zealand. 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: Civil Aviation Authority Safety Investigations Unit Level 15, Asteron Centre 55 Featherston St Wellington 6011, New Zealand Tel: (64) 04-560-9400

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2012, at 0200 universal coordinated time, a Hughes 369D, ZK-HXZ, registered to and operated by Way to Go Heliservices, crashed into Lake Sumner, New Zealand, under unknown circumstances. The helicopter sank in 125 meters of water and was not recovered until May 2015. The pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was being operated for agricultural weed spraying under the pertinent civil regulations of the Government of New Zealand. 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: Civil Aviation Authority Safety Investigations Unit Level 15, Asteron Centre 55 Featherston St Wellington 6011, New Zealand Tel: (64) 04-560-9400

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D D
Tail NumberZK-HXZ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1

Conditions

WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data