2015 Fox Glacier helicopter crash
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Helicopter tours |
| Founder | James Patrick Scott |
Area served | New Zealand South Island |
Key people | James Patrick Scott (leader) |
| Products | Helicopter sightseeing tours |
On 21 November 2015, a Eurocopter AS350 Astar helicopter operated by Alpine Adventures crashed on Fox Glacier, located in New Zealand's South Island, resulting in the deaths of all seven individuals aboard during a sightseeing tour.
Alpine Adventures
The AS-350D Astar involved was previously owned by Christchurch Helicopters before being operated by Alpine Adventures. The company was led by James Patrick Scott, who brought over three decades of helicopter piloting expertise. Alpine Adventures was affiliated with both the Aviation Industry Association and the Mt Cook & Westland National Parks User Aviation Group.
Earlier that year, on 27 June 2015, another helicopter from Alpine Adventures—a Hughes 369 piloted by Brad Maclachlan—crashed near Hari Hari while transporting two hunters. Maclachlan suffered serious injuries, whereas the hunters experienced only minor harm.
Previous history
The Eurocopter AS350D Astar (serial number 1132), manufactured in 1979 and registered as N3598F, served in the United States until 1995 before being sold to a New Zealand operator through RTS Aircraft Services Corp based in Montvale, New Jersey.
While operating in the US on 21 July 1990 under registration ZK-HKU, the helicopter collided with telephone wires while hovering approximately one meter above ground. The main rotor cut through the lines, which then entangled the tail rotor, leading to blade failure and separation of both the tail boom and gearbox.
On 19 April 1998, ZK-HKU performed an emergency autorotation landing near Rotorua after an engine malfunction. The uneven touchdown caused damage to the skid gear, tail boom, and main rotor blades; however, no injuries were reported.
Prior to its acquisition by Alpine Adventures, Christchurch Helicopters held ownership of this aircraft.
Accident
At around 11 am NZDT, amid heavy rain and overcast skies, the helicopter impacted a crevasse approximately up Fox Glacier. Barry Waterland, Alpine Adventures’ quality assurance manager, indicated that the crash happened shortly after departing from a location known as The Chancellor. When the aircraft failed to return on schedule, pilot Thomas Darling initiated a search mission, discovered the crash site, and notified emergency responders. Rescue teams found no survivors and were unable to land due to adverse weather conditions.
Preliminary investigations suggested the helicopter struck terrain before plunging into the glacier, based on debris patterns and burn marks above the impact zone. The aircraft was not equipped with a transponder or flight data recorder, and no distress signal was transmitted, implying a sudden catastrophic failure.
Among those on board were six tourists: four from the United Kingdom and two Australians. In recognition of one victim, Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge named a Radiosurgery Suite in their honor in 2017.
Pilot
Mitchell Paul Gameren, a 28-year-old pilot from New Zealand, was regarded as highly skilled, boasting over 3,000 flight hours, including experience in Malaysia and Botswana. His passion for aviation was sparked at the age of five through his mother's employment with Southern Lakes Helicopters. By 17, he had already begun piloting fixed-wing aircraft and subsequently progressed to helicopters. Between 2011 and 2014, he operated helicopters in Botswana.
Recovery operations
Following the crash, four bodies were retrieved the next day before adverse weather conditions forced a suspension of recovery efforts. Authorities planned to recommence the operation later that week. The crash location presented significant hazards, characterized by unstable, uneven ice and crevasses reaching depths of 20 metres; ice formations were reported to be larger than buildings. On 24 November, autopsy results confirmed that the four deceased included three females and one male.
On 25 November, a temporary improvement in weather permitted rescue teams—comprising Police, Alpine Cliff Rescue personnel, and drone operators—to land on the glacier. Drones captured footage of the site prior to a subsequent deterioration in conditions. The remaining three bodies along with most of the wreckage were recovered on 26 November.
In March 2016, melting snow revealed additional helicopter components which were collected by expert mountaineers contracted by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). On 2 March 2017, the remains of one British female victim were discovered and officially identified by 15 March.
Crash investigation
In November 2015, TAIC indicated that Chief Investigator Captain Tim Burfoot might require until May 2017 to finalize the crash inquiry. The helicopter debris was transported to TAIC’s Wellington facility for detailed examination. A bereaved father from the 2010 Fletcher FU24 crash voiced skepticism about TAIC’s investigative rigor, referencing previous incidents of evidence mishandling and New Zealand’s comparatively lenient aviation safety regulations.
The helicopter’s engine was dispatched to its U.S. manufacturer for inspection under TAIC oversight, while flight control systems underwent testing in Australia. Additionally, representatives from the helicopter’s French manufacturer conducted an on-site examination of the wreckage in Wellington. By March 2017, a preliminary report was in preparation.
Local media highlighted that days before the accident, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) had received a complaint concerning the lack of landing markers on the glacier.
TAIC’s conclusive report, published on 23 May 2019, determined that the helicopter collided with the glacier at a high forward speed combined with a steep descent rate, carrying an overall weight likely exceeding its maximum allowable limit. Weather conditions were found to be unstable and unsuitable for scenic flights, frequently failing to meet minimum standards. No mechanical faults were identified; however, the investigation criticized the operator’s pilot training program as insufficient. It further revealed that although CAA had detected serious non-compliance issues related to training and oversight prior to the accident, it did not take enforcement action, permitting ongoing helicopter operations.
Health and safety concerns
On 28 May 2016, CAA revoked James Patrick Scott’s Air Operator's Certificate for Alpine Adventures due to concerns about operational safety. Scott managed Fox and Franz Heliservices, Tekapo Helicopters, and Makarora Helicopters. This suspension preceded an inquiry into a separate helicopter accident from 2015. The Air Operator Certificate was reinstated in September under the rebranded Fox-Franz Heliservices.
In June 2016, both Scott and Organizational System Manager Barry Waterland faced charges under Health and Safety legislation filed by CAA. The legal proceedings experienced multiple adjournments; Scott relinquished his operating license by July. Both defendants entered pleas of not guilty as investigations continued into 2017 with new evidence emerging.
In July 2017, New Zealand’s General Aviation Advocacy Group voiced concerns regarding CAA flight operations inspector Paul Mitchell Jones, questioning his qualifications and aspects of his involvement in the crash investigation. TAIC announced in October 2017 that its accident report was nearing completion.
By September 2018, trial dates for Scott and Waterland had been scheduled. In May 2019, they were each fined $64,000 by Greymouth District Court. It was noted that Scott had compensated each affected family with $125,000. The presiding judge determined that failures in health and safety management did not directly cause the crash.