’Copter breaks rotor

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 2

’Copter breaks rotor

PA Wellington Spectators at the AWAClarion motor rally had a lucky escape on Monday when a rotor blade sheared off a helicopter and flew like a giant lawn mower into a nearby paddock, the “Dominion” newspaper reported. The accident happened near Manawahe, a remote settlement north-east of

Rotorua, moments after the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter landed on a gentle slope about 12.35 p.m. About 100 people who had gathered to watch competitors in the rally negotiate a tight bend saw the the helicopter tumble on its side 10 to 15 metres away. The pilot, Nick Robinson, of Rotorua, who was putting the aircraft down to collect

a party of photographers covering the event, was not hurt. Bystanders said they turned to see the machine in trouble after hearing a loud bang as the rotor blade hit the ground. The rotor shaft and blade sheared off and flew into the paddock. It tore up large pieces of earth as it went. , ~ One 15cm piece of the

blade was later found about 300 m across the road on another hillside paddock. The helicopter’s engine revved loudly until the pilot was able to shut it down. Aviation fuel poured on to the ground while the pilot used an axe to smash the perspex front of his machine so that he could climb out.