Executive summary
On Friday 8 September 1995, at approximately 1640 hours, as a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft ZK-SFA was approaching to land at Picton Aerodrome the pilot saw the nose light of one of a loose formation of four RNZAF Macchi MC 39 aircraft approaching from the opposite direction at a similar height to that of his aircraft. He took evasive action and the nearest Macchi passed approximately 300 metres from the Caravan.
The causal factors included a lack of clear instruction in the NZAIP on VFR position reporting procedures in the vicinity of unattended aerodromes close to Control Zone boundaries and the standard of pre-flight planning including that for diversions from track due to weather.
The safety issue identified in this incident was the uncertainty as to the requirements for monitoring RTF frequencies after obtaining clearance through a control Zone and RNZAF formation leader's preparation for diversions from the planned track due to weather.
Related Recommendations
He emphasise to pilots on low level cross country exercises a need to consider, during pre-flight briefings, the action to be taken in relation to unattended aerodromes close to the planned track in the event of a diversion due to weather.