Efforts continue to recover bodies after fatal Nelson plane crash
In this story Transport Accident Investigation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority
Police and the Civil Aviation Authority are working to recover two bodies from a Cessna 172P wreckage in the remote Bryant Range. A Wānaka-based self-fly holiday company confirmed the aircraft was involved in the crash, which occurred on Tuesday south of Castor Peak.
Key facts
5 facts
- Two people died in a plane crash near Nelson on Tuesday
- The aircraft was a Cessna 172P Skyhawk, registration ZK-BFQ
- The crash occurred in the Bryant Range, south of North Castor Peak
- The plane was operated by FlyInn, a company based in Wānaka
- TAIC has appointed two investigators to the accident inquiry
The full story
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Two people have died after a privately owned Cessna 172P Skyhawk crashed in a remote area of the Bryant Range. The aircraft, registered as ZK-BFQ, was located south of North Castor Peak, approximately 20km northeast of Nelson. Police and New Zealand Defence Force personnel have been working to recover the bodies from the wreckage.
The plane departed Nelson Airport at approximately 9.10am on Tuesday. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft reached an altitude of 3100ft before dropping to 1800ft in 49 seconds before disappearing from radar. The aircraft was reported overdue less than three hours after takeoff.
Wānaka-based aviation company FlyInn has confirmed the aircraft involved belonged to them. The company stated, “It is with an incredibly heavy heart we wish to advise one of our aircraft was involved in an accident in an area of New Zealand’s South Island”. FlyInn offers self-fly vacations where visiting pilots fly while a guide sits in the right-hand seat.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has launched an inquiry into the crash. Two investigators have been appointed to determine the cause and identify safety improvements. Investigators will examine wreckage, electronic records, cockpit recordings, and maintenance history.
How it developed
- Thu 5 Nov, 1:33pmFlyInn confirmed the involvement of its aircraft via a message on its website.
Where reports differ
- One report states the altitude drop occurred in 49 seconds, while another states it occurred in 90 seconds
Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Press, RNZ, NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.
