Fletcher FU24-950EX, ZK-EGV, collision with terrain
near Opotiki, 10 November 2007
near Opotiki, 10 November 2007
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
07-012
At about 1320 on 10 November 2007, a Fletcher FU24-950EX aeroplane, registered ZK-EGV, was engaged in aerial top-dressing of a farm near Opotiki when it descended into trees in a small gully about 600 metres from the area being top-dressed. The pilot, the only occupant, was killed.
ZK-EGV was a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbine-powered version of the Fletcher. No technical reason was found for the accident. However, the pilot was engaged in a lengthy cellphone conversation at the time of the accident, and that distraction and pilot fatigue were considered contributory factors in the accident.
The Commission recommended that the Director of Civil Aviation address the following safety issues identified during the investigation:
• the use of cellphones by pilots
• the procedure for checking of pilot competency on single-seat aeroplanes
• the installation requirements for emergency locator transmitters.
ZK-EGV was a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbine-powered version of the Fletcher. No technical reason was found for the accident. However, the pilot was engaged in a lengthy cellphone conversation at the time of the accident, and that distraction and pilot fatigue were considered contributory factors in the accident.
The Commission recommended that the Director of Civil Aviation address the following safety issues identified during the investigation:
• the use of cellphones by pilots
• the procedure for checking of pilot competency on single-seat aeroplanes
• the installation requirements for emergency locator transmitters.
Location
4NM south Opotiki Aerodrome (-38.055623,177.309369) [may be approximate]