Robinson R44 II accident near Mount Arthur, New Zealand, Nz, October 7, 2014
On October 7, 2014, a Robinson R44 II (helicopter), registered ZKHBQ, was destroyed in an accident near Mount Arthur, New Zealand. 1 person was killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2014
- Place
- Mount Arthur, New Zealand, New Zealand · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II II · all R44 IIs on the register
- Registration
- ZKHBQ · no longer on the register · serial 10516
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 7, 2014, at an unknown time, a Robinson R44, ZK-HBQ, collided with terrain near Mount Arthur, New Zealand. The helicopter was operated by Helicopter Charter Karamea under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of New Zealand. The pilot was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The flight originated from Karamea and was destined for Nelson. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of New Zealand. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of New Zealand. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Deputy Chief Investigator of Accidents Transport Accident Investigation Commission P.O. Box 10-323 Wellington 6143 New Zealand Tel: (64) 4-473-0199 Fax: (64) 4-499-1510 Email: inquiries@taic.org.nz
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.