What happened
On 19 December 2003, at approximately 1500 hours, an agricultural aircraft, registration ZK-BXZ, was engaged in a lime spreading operation at an airstrip near Mairoa, New Zealand. The day's work involved transporting lime from a local strip to a nearby property. During the operation, the pilot of ZK-BXZ coordinated with the pilot of ZK-EMW to manage the loading and sowing schedule.
As the mission progressed, the pilot of ZK-B and XZ performed several take-offs and landings. During one of the final departures, the aircraft was observed traveling down the strip with 20 degrees of flaps set. At the same time, ZK-EMW was on a reciprocal landing approach. There is conflicting testimony regarding the exact positioning of the two aircraft, but reports indicate that ZK-BXZ passed very close to the descending ZK-EMW, with the latter potentially passing directly over the departing aircraft.
Shortly after the departure, a loud noise was heard by a nearby farmer, followed by the sight of smoke. Upon investigation, the aircraft was found to be heavily involved in a fire. The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft, and the accident resulted in 1 fatality. Although ground personnel attempted to use a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames, the intensity of the fire prevented any immediate rescue efforts.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in a high-traffic environment with multiple company aircraft, including ZK-JAL and ZK-EGV, present at the airstrip.
- The proximity between ZK-BXZ and ZK-EMW was extremely close, with the departing aircraft traveling only about 170 metres before the incident.
- The encounter with wake turbulence from the passing aircraft is considered a significant factor, as the weather conditions were conducive to the formation and persistence of vortices from the overhead aircraft.