What happened
On the morning of the accident, a pilot undergoing training for a Grade 2 Agricultural Pilot Rating began operations at approximately 06:25 hours. The pilot initially worked at a site southeast of Rotorua, performing 15 sowing runs while being supervised by an instructor operating a separate aircraft in the same area. Following a break, the two aircraft moved to Waikite Valley, arriving around 09:45 hours.
After refueling, the pilot and instructor began an alternating sowing pattern using a special fertilizer mix. This method was designed to allow the instructor to monitor the student's performance during takeoff and landing. Throughout the morning, the payload in the pilot's aircraft was incrementally increased from 900 kg in 50 kg steps, reaching 1100 kg for the final five loads. The only notable incident during the morning session was a single aborted landing by the student due to wake turbulence from the instructor's aircraft.
At approximately 13:15 hours, the pilot was performing clearing runs on remaining areas of land. Shortly before the accident, the pilot contacted the instructor via radio to confirm his position. The instructor, positioned near a woolshed, observed the aircraft flying west at roughly 400 ft AGL. As the instructor approached the airstrip for landing, he witnessed the aircraft initiate a slight left turn, followed by a climb and a left-hand spin. The aircraft completed approximately one and a half rotations before disappearing behind a nearby ridge. The accident occurred at an elevation of 1460 ft in the Waikite Valley region.
Findings
- The pilot was engaged in training for an agricultural pilot rating.
- The aircraft payload had been increased to 1100 kg prior to the event.
- The instructor observed the aircraft enter a spin during the landing phase of the operation.