No fatalities

Crop Spraying Aircraft Crashes During Takeoff Roll (ZK-BHL)

Raglan, New ZealandTakeoff (climb)

On December 15, 2000, a Fletcher FU-24 (registration ZK-BHL) operated by Private New Zealand was involved in an aviation accident near Raglan, New Zealand during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot conducting a local crop spraying mission experienced difficulty gaining speed during takeoff. Suspecting a parking brake issue, the pilot lifted off, but the aircraft lost altitude and crashed to the left of the departure area. The pilot escaped uninjured, and the air

Incident Overview and Context A pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was operating a local crop spraying mission when the incident occurred. The event took place during the initial phase of flight, specifically during the takeoff roll. The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered difficulties in gaining the necessary speed for a safe departure. Suspecting that the parking brake may have been engaged or malfunctioning, the pilot proceeded with the takeoff. However, after liftoff, the aircraft failed to maintain altitude and subsequently lost height. The aircraft crashed to the left of the departure area. The pilot was able to escape the wreckage uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage that was assessed as beyond repair.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Dec 2000 Fletcher FU-24 accident near Raglan, New Zealand?

A pilot conducting a local crop spraying mission experienced difficulty gaining speed during takeoff. Suspecting a parking brake issue, the pilot lifted off, but the aircraft lost altitude and crashed to the left of the departure area. The pilot escaped uninjured, and the air

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Dec 2000 Fletcher FU-24 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Dec 2000 involved a Fletcher FU-24, registration ZK-BHL, operated by Private New Zealand, at Raglan, New Zealand.