Fatal Piper Cherokee crash in Amuri Range linked to pilot's history and aircraft condition

What happened

On 19 December 2000, a Piper PA28-140, registration ZK-CIK, departed from Forest Field near Christchurch for a local scenic flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and two passengers. During the flight, the aircraft was observed circling properties near Waiau at low altitudes, sometimes as low as 100 feet above the treetops.

As the flight progressed, the aircraft headed toward the Amuri Range. The final sighting of the aircraft occurred as it lined up with a valley leading toward Hanmer Springs. Later that evening, a local family discovered the wreckage in an area of burning scrub. All 3 occupants sustained fatal injuries upon impact.

The investigation

Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical state, the pilot's flying history, and the regulatory oversight provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The inquiry looked into the circumstances leading up to the loss of control and reviewed the pilot's medical and disciplinary records, including a significant head injury sustained in a 1990 motor vehicle accident.

Findings

Several contributing factors were identified in the crash. The investigation determined that the pilot likely lost control of the aircraft while attempting a maneuver to escape the confines of the valley, resulting in a stall from an unrecoverable height.

Key findings included:

• The aircraft was operating near or possibly above its maximum allowable takeoff weight.
• The engine was unable to achieve full power due to low compression in three of the four cylinders.
• The aircraft was not being operated with adequate safety margins.
• The pilot was likely not a fit and proper person to hold a pilot's licence based on his documented history of medical and behavioral issues.

Safety action

At the time of the accident, the CAA lacked formalized procedures for determining if an individual was a "fit and proper person" to hold an aviation license. The investigation noted that improved, standardized procedures for monitoring such cases could have identified the pilot's unsuitability much earlier.