Loose objects flying out of open helicopter door believed to be responsible for Wanaka crash that killed three in October

Mr Wallis crashed on Saturday, and his body and some of the wreckage was found near the Stevenson’s Island area of the lake last night.

It's believed loose objects flying out from an open door is what caused a Wanaka helicopter accident in October where two Department of Conservation staff and well-known pilot Nick Wallis were killed.

The interim report was released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission today, who also released a second report into the crash that killed Matthew Wallis, the brother of Nick Wallis, four months earlier.

Nick Wallis, and DOC workers Paul Hondelink and Scott Theobald, died when their helicopter went down in Wanaka during a tahr cull operation which has now been suspended.

The report says the first items discovered in the wreckage trail included a black pair of padded over-trousers, and red padded overalls.

They had marks on the clothing which matched the colour of the rotor blades suggesting they had "come out of the helicopter and become entangled with the tail rotor at some point".

This was backed up by witnesses who saw the helicopter conducting "unusual manoeuvres" less than one minute after take-off.

It says other experienced instructors saw items coming out of the helicopter, including a chilly-bin, towards the tail rotor shortly before the helicopter hit the ground.

It's thought the items came out of the helicopter through a door that had opened during the flight.

The TAIC investigation discovered three incidents in the month prior to the accident where doors had opened in-flight. However, none of these had been recorded properly or notified to the relevant authorities.

TAIC has recommended the Civil Aviation Authority "urgently remind aviation participants" the importance of reporting incidents during flight.

Matthew Wallis, who died during a private flight in July, was flying a Robinson R44 when he crashed into Lake Wanaka. His body was found two days later.

The report found evidence of "mast-bumping" at some point during the flight, though would not conclusively say that was the cause of the accident.

Mast-bumping is when the inner part of the main rotor blade hits the mast and has been a known issue in Robinson R44’s and which are currently on a TAIC watchlist.

TAIC says it will continue to investigate whether mast-bumping was the cause, and whether bad weather may have also been a factor.

Managing director of The Alpine Group Ltd, and brother of two of the men killed in the helicopter crashes, Jonathan Wallis released a statement today.

"Transport safety is of high priority. We respect the release of these reports at such an early stage of the investigations and unreservedly support the safety message pertaining to the stowage of loose items," part of the statement reads.

While Mr Wallis says the report points out some "disturbing" issues, he says neither report presents analysis or findings and will not comment further until the investigations are complete.

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