What happened
On the afternoon of January 3, 1997, a Cessna 310Q, registered ZK-KIM, was conducting a private flight toward Ardmore. Shortly after departing from Queenstown, the aircraft began a turn following takeoff. During this maneuver, the plane entered a spiral dive or spin, which ultimately resulted in a high-impact collision with the ground. The accident resulted in six fatalities, including the pilot and all five passengers on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the environmental conditions and the flight path taken during the departure from Queenstown. The inquiry focused on the proximity of the Remarkables Range to runway 14, noting how the terrain layout influenced the pilot's ability to maintain orientation. Additionally, the investigation looked into the pilot's proficiency in specialized flying conditions and the potential impact of the aircraft's weight and balance on its flight characteristics.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the loss of control during the departure. The physical positioning of the Remarkables Range relative to the runway significantly limited the available maneuvering space. This terrain configuration prevented the pilot from maintaining a standard visual horizon reference while executing the turn.
Furthermore, the investigation determined that inadvertent mishandling of the aircraft likely occurred due to the pilot's lack of experience and insufficient skills regarding mountain flying operations. There was also the possibility that the aircraft had been misloaded, which could have negatively altered its handling qualities during the critical phase of flight.