What happened
On a private flight traveling from Hastings to Ardmore via Hamilton, an Aero Commander (registration ZK-PTS) was flying in company with another aircraft of the same type. During the transit between Hawkes Bay and Taupo, the flight encountered overcast conditions with a variable cloud base and scattered rain showers. As the aircraft moved northwest of Napier, the pilots encountered a rain shower that obscured their intended flight path.
In response to the weather, the pilot of ZK-PTS decided to climb above the cloud layer, while the accompanying aircraft chose to circle the area to wait for better visibility. The pilot of ZK-PTS communicated that the aircraft was climbing and reported a position at 5,800 feet on the 283 radial from Napier. This communication proved to be the final transmission from the aircraft, which subsequently failed to reach its destination in Hamilton.
The investigation
Following the aircraft's failure to arrive at Hamilton, a search operation was initiated. Later that afternoon, a search helicopter identified the wreckage of the aircraft situated on a ridge within the Kaweka Range at an elevation of 2,900 feet. The investigation confirmed that the two fatalities occurred upon impact with the terrain.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in weather conditions characterized by overcast skies and rain showers.
- The pilot attempted to climb through the weather to find clear air, but the aircraft struck a ridge in the Kaweka Range.
- The impact with the terrain resulted in the deaths of both the pilot and the passenger.