What happened
The flight originated from Hokitika under initially favorable weather conditions. Approximately thirty minutes after departure, the aircraft was in a cruise phase at an altitude of roughly 1,250 meters. During this segment, the plane struck the slope of Mt Turiwhate, situated approximately 30 kilometers to the east of the departure point. At the time of the impact, local meteorological conditions had deteriorated significantly, with visibility reduced by rain and fog.
The accident resulted in fatal injuries for both individuals on board. The pilot and one passenger were killed in the collision. No survivors were reported from this incident.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary factor leading to the crash was a controlled flight into terrain. This determination highlights the critical interaction between the aircraft's trajectory and the surrounding topography, exacerbated by the reduced visibility conditions present at the time of impact.