The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has released its report into the 2013 Volcanic Air Safaris helicopter ditching in Lake Rotorua.
On February 24 2013, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter operated by Volcanic Air Safaris Limited departed on its second scenic flight for the day, with the pilot and three passengers on board, when the engine lost power.
The pilot put the helicopter into autorotation and turned the helicopter towards the shoreline, where she carried out a successful ditching in shallow water near the lake edge.
The pilot and passengers were able to evacuate the helicopter uninjured. They were picked up shortly afterwards by a nearby jet boat.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission determined that the most likely cause of the engine power loss was a malfunctioning of the engine's right magneto.