Cessna 185 Skywagon ZK-JGI, descended after take off and crash landed, Motueka, 29 November 2001
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
01-011
On Thursday 29 November 2001, at about 0930, Cessna A185E Skywagon ZK-JGI took off from Motueka Aerodrome on a local parachuting flight. Shortly after take-off, at about 100 feet, ZK-JGI had a sudden and total power loss. Unable to re-establish power, the pilot guided the aircraft to a nearby kiwifruit orchard. After clipping trees the aircraft struck the ground heavily, resulting in the pilot and 4 parachutists receiving serious injuries and 1 parachutist sustaining minor injuries.
The power loss was due to the pilot inadvertently selecting the fuel Off before the flight.
The safety issues identified were the certification of the aircraft with a modified fuel selector, pilot actions for a sudden power loss after take-off, and the non-fitment and wearing of safety restraints by parachutists. Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Civil Aviation to address these issues
The power loss was due to the pilot inadvertently selecting the fuel Off before the flight.
The safety issues identified were the certification of the aircraft with a modified fuel selector, pilot actions for a sudden power loss after take-off, and the non-fitment and wearing of safety restraints by parachutists. Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Civil Aviation to address these issues
Location
Motueka (-41.125175,172.984843) [may be approximate]