Sunday 26 August 2012

Robinson R44 Raven 11 ZK-HKD.

Robinson R44 Raven 11 ZK-HKD(c/n 10987) was imported by and registered to Wing and Rotor Aviation Ltd of Papakura on 16-12-2005. Ownership was transferred to Helinorth Ltd of Whangarei on 16-12-2005.
Photograph below shows it at Wellington on 20-02-2006.

ZK-HKD struck power lines at Wellsford on 11 July 2010, fortunately without injury to the pilot. The collision resulted in an airframe bent beyond economical repair.
See CAA Accident Brief, Occurrence # 10/2655 at :-
http://www.caa.govt.nz/Script/Accident_Details.asp?Oc=10/2655

HeliNorth now displays this Robinson R44 Raven II inside a car showroom by the side of State Highway 10 south of Kerikeri as an advertising attraction. Photo from Jean210.
 

This was not its first argument with power lines as it had a wire strike with an 11,000 volt cable on 10-08-2008 at Mititai (southeast of Dargaville) with minimal damage.


3 comments:

  1. I've seen this many times sitting there. Had no idea was a no-goer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Is that a car showroom now?? That is Heliops hanger i thought???

    ReplyDelete
  3. HeliNorth's lease on the building expired and the airframe was recently moved to Dargaville.

    Jean210

    ReplyDelete