Robinson R44 II accident near Queenstown, New Zealand, Nz, February 19, 2015
On February 19, 2015 at about 2:44 am local time, a Robinson R44 II (helicopter), registered ZKIPY, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Queenstown, New Zealand. 2 people were 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
- February 19, 2015 · about 2:44 am local time
- Place
- Queenstown, New Zealand, New Zealand · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II II · all R44 IIs on the register
- Registration
- ZKIPY · no longer on the register · serial 10555
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 19, 2015, at 0244 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 II, ZK-IPY, operated by Over the Top Limited, collided with terrain under unknown circumstances near Queenstown, New Zealand. The two occupants on board were fatally injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The training flight was being operated under the pertinent civil regulations of the government of New Zealand. 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: Transport Accident Investigation Commission P.O. Box 10323, The Terrace Wellington 6143, New Zealand Level 16, 80 the Terrace Wellington 6011, New Zealand Phone 0800 188 926 Fax +64 4 499 1510 Website: http://www.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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.