Overview
A single-engine airplane operating a ferry flight crashed in hilly terrain approximately 8 miles southwest of Kaikohe, New Zealand. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed in the accident and the aircraft was destroyed.
Flight Details
The airplane departed Kaitaia at 1134 hours local time en route to Whangarei. During the flight, the pilot conducted a low pass over his parents' house located in the Mataraua Valley. Following the low pass, the pilot executed a 360-degree turn, likely to gain altitude, when the aircraft entered a stall and subsequently impacted the bush-covered terrain.
Accident Location
The crash site was situated in a bush area about 8 miles southwest of Kaikohe. The terrain in the region is characterized by hills and dense vegetation.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident was the inability of the pilot to recover from a stall incurred while manoeuvering an aircraft with unfamiliar performance characteristics at a low level in hilly terrain.