By JO-MARIE BROWN
A pilot and his passenger walked away from a helicopter crash in Taupo yesterday that could have claimed both their lives.
Bruce Lilburn, of Helistar Helicopters in Huka Falls Rd, was flying the five-seater Bell Jetranger from its hanger to the scenic flight operator's landing pad around 12:30pm when a warning alarm sounded 50m out from his destination.
Mr Lilburn, whose family has owned the helicopter for 20 years, managed to touch down on the landing pad but the aircraft slid forward 15m and down a steep grassy bank.
Yesterday afternoon the crushed helicopter lay on its side near Helistar's cafe and office with its tail and main rotor blades having broken away.
Sergeant Mark Robertson said Mr Lilburn and his passenger, a signwriter who had been doing some work for Helistar, were uninjured but extremely lucky to be alive.
"It certainly had the makings of a tragedy," he said.
Helistar's quality assurance officer, Shamus Howard, said the helicopter was mechanically checked at the completion of every 100 flying hours and had only flown between five and 10 hours since its last inspection.
"Considering the pilot's experience in this helicopter, his familiarity with the landing site, the pleasant weather conditions with a maximum of 10-15 knots of wind and that there were only two people on board ... it's highly probable there's been a mechanical failure."
Foam was sprayed over the helicopter by the fire service to prevent leaking fuel from igniting.
Mr Howard, a pilot with 18 years experience, had flown the aircraft on Tuesday night and said it appeared to be in perfect working order.
Had the grassy hill surrounding the landing pad been 2m or 3m wider, Mr Howard said the helicopter would probably still be intact.
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating.
Pair escape from crashed helicopter
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