The CAA investigation also found:
- There were "some non-compliance issues" for the test procedures used by Hawkes Bay Aviation, the maintenance provider;
- No other duty holders, including operator and maintenance providers, were found in breach of the Act;
- The pilot's medical certificate had expired six weeks prior to the accident;
- The pilot had recorded an incident involving a hard landing in 1999 in which a passenger fell sideways and broke her ankle. "It was not considered to be extraordinary," the CAA said.
The report recommends simulations of emergency features during biennial reviews of safety.
It also recommends reviewing basket design, passenger safety briefings and effective communication between pilots and ground crew.
Mr Harris said since the accident there had been "major changes" to the safety of adventure and aviation tourism.
He said the CAA would not comment further on the Carterton tragedy while "more wide-ranging investigations are ongoing".