Safety investigators to examine scene of chopper crash

File photo / Thinkstock

The Civil Aviation Authority is sending a team of aviation safety investigators to the scene of today's fatal helicopter crash in North Canterbury.

David Stanley Jones, 48, of Woodend was the pilot and sole occupant of a Robinson R22 helicopter, operated by HeliMax, the company he owned.

That model has been involved in 26 per cent of helicopter crashes since the start of 2011 - more than any other.

The crash occurred near the base of Mt Percy, inland from Domett, shortly before 9.30am, Senior Sergeant Malcolm Johnston said.

"It was a high impact crash and the helicopter burst into flames on impact. It is likely the pilot would have been killed instantly."

Mr Jones' body was expected to be removed from the scene later today.

The wreckage of the helicopter would remain at the site pending a CAA investigation.

The Robinson R22 was being used for agricultural operations at the time of the crash, CAA spokesman Mike Richards said.

"Three investigators from CAA will arrive at the scene, either this evening or first thing in the morning depending on travel arrangements. The police are now in control of the site," he said.

There was so far no indication of the cause of the accident, Mr Richards said.

"Our safety investigators will review all flight and maintenance records leading up to the flight, closely examine the wreckage, conduct interviews with witnesses and emergency support service personnel and look for any obvious immediate cause.

"If any issues are identified that may prevent an accident of this type occurring again, the CAA will take immediate measures."

The investigation could take more than a year if mechanical or electronic parts needed to be sent back to manufacturers overseas for further testing, Mr Richards said.

Two of the most popular models of the country's 816 helicopters are the R22 and its "big brother" the R44, he said.

In June, the CAA issued an Airworthiness Directive to all Robinson R44 Helicopter owners to retro-fit a bladder fuel tank based on overseas reports of potential fire damage on impact. That directive must be complied with by December 27.

Factbox:

* since the start of 2011, there had been 58 chopper crashes - nine fatal.

* those crashes have occurred in:

- agricultural operations (18)

- airline operations (9)

- other commercial operations (17)

- private operations (14)

* of the 58 crashes, the Robinson R22 was involved in 15 - the most of all helicopter models, followed by the R44 with 12.