We’re still collecting data for this aircraft. Routes appear once we’ve seen it fly enough times.
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a top dressing flight in the region of Motueka. While flying at low height, the aircraft struck with its left wing a pine, lost height and crashed on the northern face of a ridge. The pilot was killed. Probable cause (official findings): The lone pine tree which the aircraft struck was probably obscured due to the position of the sun and shadow, making it difficult for the pilot to detect. Damage to the aileron control system resulted from the collision,
Fletcher FU-24 · 1 fatalities