Aviation insurance underwriters in New Zealand, whose premiums have traditionally favoured turbine-powered helicopters over piston types, are now reviewing the differential rates they offer turbine operators.
Aviation underwriter Arden Jennings told New Zealand's Aviation Industry Association conference at New Plymouth on 31 July that 11 of the 400 helicopters on the country's register had crashed in the first half of this year.
Although the figure represents a reduction of accidents by over half, from 23helicopters in the same period of 1996, five of the incidents involved turbine powered aircraft, and accounted for NZ$3 million ($2 million) of the NZ$3.5 million in insurance payouts.
"This raises the question of whether the traditional rates for turbine-powered aircraft should continue to apply," according to Jennings.
Meanwhile, a Robinson R22 crashed when its main rotor struck a light stanchion while on display at a safety-awareness conference. The pilot survived. The incident lifted to 12 the country's helicopter write-offs for the year.
Source: Flight International
