Critical control system components were not installed correctly in a helicopter which crashed near Murchison, killing the pilot, a Crown prosecutor has told a Nelson court.
SkyTech Aviation owner and managing director John Arthur Horrell, 55, of Nelson, and licensed aircraft maintenance engineer Ronald David Potts, 59, of
Mapua, are both charged with the manslaughter of pilot Phillip Devon Heney.
Mr Heney, a father of nine from Shenandoah near Murchison, was killed and a family friend hurt when the Robinson R22 he was flying spun out of control and crashed on his family farm on August 26, 2005.
A depositions hearing began yesterday in Nelson District Court before Justices of the Peace Harry Baigent and Anne Batten. Horrell and Potts have not yet pleaded to the charge.
The Crown alleges Potts failed in his duty to supervise the installation of critical control system components, which were installed incorrectly in the helicopter, and that Horrell failed to ensure his aircraft engineers were supervised adequately when the components were installed.
Crown prosecutor Glen Marshall said Mr Heney's son Keiran Heney bought the helicopter second-hand in 2004.
On June 14, 2005, after an international directive that Robinson R22 rotor blades had to be changed, Mr Heney flew the helicopter to Nelson maintenance company Skytech for that to be done, for an annual review of airworthiness, and for several parts to be replaced, including the tail rotor driveshaft and the aft flexplate coupling.
The helicopter was released from service on August 26, 2005.
Mr Marshall said an examination revealed that the drive shaft had separated from the flange attaching it to the aft flexplate coupling and tail rotor, causing the tail rotor to cease functioning.
The aft flexplate had been installed incorrectly, he said.
The hearing continues today.
- NZPA
