Viewing the intended landing site through night vision goggles (NVGs), the pilot of a Kawasaki BK117-C1 believed the sea surface fog was actually higher-altitude cloud cover. The helicopter’s subsequent high rate of descent ended with a crash into the Southern Ocean, the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says.
All three occupants exited the medical evacuation helicopter before the BK117 sank, with the pilot and paramedic helping the rear-seat crewmember — a winch operator — who had been knocked unconscious by the impact. The unconscious crewmember regained consciousness during the 100-m (328-ft) swim to shore. Injuries to the three were classified as minor. The helicopter was pulled from the water about three weeks after the April 22, 2019, accident.
The TAIC, in its final report, said that the pilot had misinterpreted the image seen through the NVGs, and “the helicopter’s descent rate became high as the pilot, relying primarily o…
