AO-2007-011

At 1555 on Friday 26 October 2007, Cessna A152 ZK-KID was on a cross-country navigation training flight when it entered a narrow and rising valley at low level from which escape was impossible. As the instructor attempted to manoeuvre out of the valley, the aircraft struck several trees. The instructor was killed and the student suffered serious injuries, but was able to walk out and summon assistance.

The instructor did not have the training and skills necessary to recognise the dangers associated with flying over mountainous terrain or to make an early decision to avoid entering the valley. The low flying leading up to the accident was not approved or justified.

In the past 15 years the Commission has investigated 5 accidents where poor decision-making coupled with inadequate mountain-flying skills has contributed to the deaths of 29 people. The Commission has previously made recommendations to the Director of Civil Aviation that training syllabi for aeroplane pilots be amended to include mandatory mountain or adverse terrain training. The Commission has again recommended that the Director address this significant safety issue.