Cessna 172, ZK-LLB, collision with terrain while low flying, 7 km south of Gibbston, 29 January 2005
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
05-002
On Saturday 29 January 2005, at 1149, Scott Air Cessna 172 ZK-LLB was on a Police cannabis plantation spotting operation from Queenstown, when it collided with the valley side in Doolans Creek Valley 7 km south of Gibbston. The pilot and Police observer were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
While circling in a confined mountainous valley the aircraft was briefly descended to a low altitude which did not conserve adequate manoeuvring margins from the valley sides. A further more rapid descent led to the aircraft colliding with the valley side in controlled flight. The cause of this further descent was not determined.
While circling in a confined mountainous valley the aircraft was briefly descended to a low altitude which did not conserve adequate manoeuvring margins from the valley sides. A further more rapid descent led to the aircraft colliding with the valley side in controlled flight. The cause of this further descent was not determined.
Location
Queenstown (-45.082976,168.950500) [may be approximate]