Incident Overview
At approximately 0500 hours on 12 December 2016, the pilot of ZK-JPU arrived at Gisborne Aerodrome accompanied by a trainee loader driver, while a senior loader driver was already at the hangar. The pilot conducted preflight checks for the day's agricultural operations. Earlier that morning, the managing director of the operator had requested the pilot to add a task at Pembroke Station to the flight plan due to illness. The original plan involved topdressing at Tauwharetoi Station followed by Waimaha Station, but the pilot agreed to the extra task.
Flight and Communication
ZK-JPU departed Gisborne Aerodrome at approximately 0515 hours with the pilot and both loader drivers on board. The aircraft landed at a private airstrip at 0530 hours, where the loader truck was already positioned from a previous week's work. After assisting with equipment checks, the pilot commenced topdressing at about 0600 hours. Another pilot from the same operator, flying a similar aircraft (ZK-XLA), was working at Bushy Knoll Station. At approximately 0615 hours, the two pilots exchanged greetings and intentions over the radio before continuing their tasks.
After completing the first task, the pilot of ZK-JPU landed and instructed the senior loader driver to return to base. The senior loader driver refueled the aircraft with 100 liters of fuel, packed equipment, and gave the trainee loader driver a radio. Following a 15-minute break, the pilot and trainee loader driver boarded the aircraft. The senior loader driver observed the takeoff and departed in the loader truck.
Collision with Power Lines
At approximately 0850 hours, the pilot of ZK-XLA received a radio call from the pilot of ZK-JPU asking about turning direction, followed by a statement that ZK-JPU was to the left. The pilot of ZK-XLA was sowing the boundary of Bushy Knoll Station and planned to turn right to return to the airstrip. Spanning the valley near the boundary were 110 kV high voltage power lines consisting of six conductors supported by towers. The lowest point of the span was approximately 200 feet above terrain.
At 0857 hours, the power supply to Gisborne and the East Coast was interrupted. Finishing his run, the pilot of ZK-XLA commenced a right climbing turn and spotted ZK-JPU over his right shoulder. He noted something trailing from the left wing of ZK-JPU and transmitted "you are trailing wire," but received no response. He then witnessed ZK-JPU continue down the valley, rolling left before impacting terrain approximately 700 meters further south. A post-impact fire ensued, producing heavy black smoke. The pilot of ZK-XLA circled the site and attempted to call the operator, then activated the emergency communication equipment and reported the accident to Gisborne Tower.
The accident occurred in daylight at 0857 hours, approximately 24 nautical miles west of Gisborne Aerodrome at coordinates S 38° 44' 30.85", E 177° 28' 37.41".