Accident Overview
On the morning of the accident, the aircraft took off normally at approximately 0912. It was on about its twenty-sixth sortie of the day. A loader driver observed the aircraft commence a sowing run. After a few seconds, the flow of mixture from the hopper ceased, and the aircraft entered a right-hand turn. That turn quickly developed into a steep diving turn before the aircraft went out of view behind a ridge. The loader driver then heard the sound of an impact.
Crash Site and Damage
The Fletcher crashed approximately 1.75 miles from the Owhakatoro Station airstrip. It was destroyed by impact forces, but fire did not occur. The pilot died instantly. Inspection of the crash site indicated that the aircraft first struck the face of a steep slope, at the base of which it came to rest. The right wing tip fitted neatly into a scar mark on the slope, showing that the aircraft had been in a steep bank to the right of 78 degrees. The aircraft then pivoted with force into the bed of a swampy gully about 40 feet below.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather was CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) with smooth, calm air.
Investigation and Probable Cause
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact defects or failures. The loader driver testified that the engine was developing normal power at the time of the diving turn. The investigators concluded that sudden physical incapacitation of the pilot was the most likely cause of this accident.