Executive summary
The aircraft had been chartered to fly a German group to a number of tourist destinations in New Zealand. It had departed from Glentanner on a VFR flight to Queenstown. The flight was to include scenic flying in the Mount Cook region. A "taxiing" call was received at 1153 hours but later attempts by Christchurch Flight Information to communicate with the aircraft were unsuccessful. Aircraft wreckage, which proved to be that of ZK-NOM, was sighted during the afternoon in a severely crevassed and pinnacled area of Franz Josef Glacier, at an elevation of 4500 feet amsl. The crew and passengers had all sustained fatal injuries on impact.
Related Recommendations
The training syllabus for the New Zealand Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) be amended to include "Mountainous-terrain flight training" and the extent of training required be similar to that already specified in the case of Commercial Pilot Licence Helicopter, and the requirement be applicable prior to the validation or conversion of foreign Pilot Licences to equivalent New Zealand Pilot Licence[s]. [Repeated as part of SR 023/02 (investigation 02-001) on 19 July 02.]
The published information concerning VFR Operations in areas such as Mt Cook, Franz Josef/Fox Glacier, Milford Sound. Mt Ruapehu, Rotorua and other "Tourist designated areas" should be revised and expanded to give all pilots ready access to as much relevant information as practicable regarding items such as promulgated flight routes, designated Reporting Points, minimum heights above recognised geographic features and the specific detail regarding procedures followed by local operators in the particular area, in addition to the requirement concerning radio frequencies to be used or monitored.
It develops detailed education material for all pilots and air traffic controllers covering the hazard so illicit drug use especially THC*. (*THC is the abbreviated term for 9^ Tetra Hydro Cannabinol, the principal active metanolite of marijuana or hashish.)
Review its medical Standards and Certification (Civil Aviation Rule Par 67) to consider the advisability of urine screening for THC* to be included as a discretionary component of all medical examinations if the medical examiner suspects the applicant of illicit drug use. (*THC is the abbreviated term for 9^ Tetra Hydro Cannabinol, the principal active metanolite of marijuana or hashish.)
That the requirement for the carriage of flight data recorders be extended to include a basic FDR or CVR (where the aircraft is operated with more than one pilot) on all multi-engine aircraft used principally for Air transport Operations with seats for nine or more passengers. (A similar Recommendation was previously issued following and accident on 8 August, 1989 involving Britten Norman Islander ZK-EVK near Blue Duck Glacier, Upper Dart Valley).