The only flying prototype of the all-composite six-seat helicopter dubbed “Adventourer” has ditched into Auckland Harbour in the channel between North Head and Rangitoto and sunk, bringing the development program to a halt. The salt water will no doubt mean a complete re-build and a significant pause in the development program of the KC518 helicopter being developed by Composite Helicopter Manufacturing Ltd.

The company issued the following statement on their Facebook page “Bit of a wet start today. Lost power and hand to make an emergency water landing. KC performed beautifully. Very sedate entry into the auto, directional control during the decent was good, had enough time to put out two maydays and instruct crew to prepare for a ditching. Text book arrival at the bottom, tail into water first followed by fuselage. Helicopter remained level, then I roller her over onto her side to stop the main rotor. The two of us then vacated the helicopter and swam away. We are scheduled to recover the aircraft and look into the cause of the power loss. I would like to say thank you very much to all our well wishers and appreciate your support.”  Pilot Peter Maloney  and his passenger Nina Heatley were able to exit the helicopter uninjured and were quickly picked up by a nearby Royal New Zealand Navy boat.

There is a video of the last seconds from just before the ditching on the Scoop website here.

The KC518 is a frameless, all-composite airframe, primarily of carbon fibre and Kevlar – and is powered by an older-style Rolls-Royce 250-C18 engine. Company website at http://www.compositehelicopter.com/

Graham Stevens – HeliHub.com Australasia correspondent