DOC staff to stop using Robinson helicopters

The Department of Conservation has decided to permanently stop using Robinson helicopters to transport its staff, over concerns with safety. Photo / File

The Department of Conservation has decided to stop using Robinson helicopters to transport its staff because of safety concerns.

DOC put a temporary ban on Robinsons in November 2016 and had since been reviewing whether staff should continue flying in them.

The suspension followed several fatal "mast bump" crashes involving Robinson helicopters, the placing of Robinson helicopters on the Transport Accident Investigation Commission's (TAIC) "watchlist" and a fatal Robinson R44 crash in Northland.

The review had involved commissioning reports in and outside the department and meeting with industry representatives, DOC safety director Harry Maher said.

He said pilots have to fly within strict operating limits at all times and the department wasn't confident this was possible "over time across the many varied conditions DOC employees face when in helicopters". "Having assessed the evidence, we've made a decision to err on the side of caution and permanently cease the use of Robinson helicopters to transport DOC employees."

Maher said the effect on DOC work programmes would be minor.

The Robinson Helicopter Company has said it does not believe anything is wrong with the design.

It said accidents can be avoided if pilots followed the flight safety guidelines. That has also been the tenor of CAA's safety training recommendations.

The helicopter company has responded to TAIC putting Robinsons on its watchlist by posting safety alerts stressing what pilots must do to avoid low-G situations that could lead to mast-bumping, such as slowing down to 70 knots when distracted and in turbulence and to respond to buffeting with gentle control inputs.