Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a commercial scenic flight that had departed Fox Glacier base at approximately 09:45 NZDT. Although weather at the base appeared suitable for flight, conditions higher up the valley were unstable. Photographs recovered from passenger cameras showed that while the helicopter was parked at the Chancellor Shelf landing site, snow began to fall and the horizon became obscured, creating a lack of distinction between the snow surface and the sky. The pilot, who was relatively new to the specific operational environment, likely lost situational awareness due to these 'flat light' conditions shortly after takeoff. The TAIC found that the operator, Alpine Adventures, had a training system that did not adequately prepare the pilot for the challenging local conditions. Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had identified significant safety concerns and non-compliances with the operator's management and training prior to the accident but had not intervened to stop operations.
Final Conclusions
The TAIC released its final report on 23 May 2019. It concluded that the helicopter struck the glacier due to the pilot's loss of visual reference in adverse weather. Contributing factors included the helicopter's all-up weight exceeding the maximum permitted limit, unstable weather conditions unsuitable for scenic flights, and a pilot training system that failed to meet regulatory standards. The report also criticized the CAA for failing to intervene despite knowing of the operator's safety deficiencies.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
28-year-old pilot Mitch Gameren. He was relatively new to the specific operational environment of glacier flying, having approximately 700 total flight hours.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
The flight was conducted under VFR, which requires pilots to remain clear of clouds and maintain sight of the surface. The investigation found the weather was likely below the minimum criteria for VFR flight at the time of the crash.
Operator Training System
The TAIC found the operator's training system did not fully comply with Civil Aviation rules and failed to prepare the pilot for the specific risks of glacier operations in marginal weather.
Interesting Facts
- 01The helicopter was a 1979-build AS350D that had been upgraded to an AS350BA.
- 02The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as they were not required by regulation.
- 03The all-up weight of the helicopter at the time of the accident almost certainly exceeded the maximum permitted weight.
- 04The pilot was 28 years old and was identified as Mitch Gameren.
- 05The six passengers were Andrew Virco (50), Katharine Walker (51), Nigel Edwin Charlton (66), Cynthia Charlton (70), Sovannmony Leang (27), and Josephine Gibson (29).
- 06The wreckage was located in a highly treacherous area of moving ice with crevasses up to 20 metres deep.
Safety Actions & Advisories
CAA Suspension
In May 2016, the Civil Aviation Authority suspended the Air Operator's Certificate of Alpine Adventures owner James Patrick Scott due to operational safety concerns.
TAIC Recommendation
TAIC issued a recommendation to address the potential for other operators to have significant non-compliances that were not identified or resolved by the CAA.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
CAA Oversight Failure
Reference ↗The TAIC report explicitly stated that the CAA had identified significant non-compliances with the operator's training and management before the accident but failed to intervene, allowing the operator to continue flights.