What happened
Following the completion of a topdressing operation in the vicinity of Te Karaka, an unspecified single-engine aircraft was being operated on a return flight toward its base located in Gisborne. During this transit, the aircraft executed a sharp right-hand turn before entering a steep dive. The plane subsequently impacted a wooded area, resulting in the total destruction of the airframe.
There was one fatality recorded in the accident, as the pilot was the only person on board at the time of the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage did not identify any mechanical or structural failures that would have led to a loss of control. Investigators concluded that the pilot experienced a sudden period of incapacitation while the aircraft was in flight. A medical examination following the accident identified three distinct health conditions. It was determined that had these medical issues been known to aviation authorities, the pilot would have been deemed medically unfit for flight operations.