Executive summary
At about 1225 hours on 29 March 1995, ZK-TIK stalled and spun from a low altitude after having both engines fail within a short space of time. The aeroplane had just departed Hamilton on a scheduled flight to New Plymouth. All six occupants died in the accident. Causal factors identified were a fuel tank mis-selection and failure to execute a forced landing. A contributing factor was a fuel management regime with potential for mismanagement. Safety issues discussed are checks and communications in emergency. Four safety recommendations concerning pilot education were made to the Civil Aviation Authority as a result of this investigation.
Related Recommendations
Produce educational material reminding operators of the importance of ensuring that procedures developed by the operator do not conflict with the mandatory provisions of the Aircraft Flight Manual.
Produce educational material discussing the ramifications of a double engine failure in a twin-engine aeroplane, with emphasis on the need for pilots to have an appreciation of the glide performance of the type(s) they are operating and the advisability of staying familiar with their basic forced landing training.
Promote the inclusion of trouble checks in the procedures for dealing with a single engine failure in a twin piston engine aeroplane, where these do not form part of the Flight Manual procedures.
Remind pilots and operators of the correct meaning of the "Urgency" and "Distress" messages. The correct use of pro-words together with information about what actions will be taken by ATS on receipt of distress or emergency messages should be covered. The fact that a message can be easily cancelled, if the situation of the aircraft improves, should also be emphasised.