Company confirms aircraft involved in fatal Nelson plane crash

Police and the Civil Aviation Authority are working to recover two bodies from a plane crash in a remote area of the Bryant Range. The aircraft, a Cessna 172P Skyhawk with registration ZK-BFQ, was found destroyed south of Castor Peak, approximately 20km northeast of Nelson.

Wānaka-based aviation company FlyInn confirmed the aircraft belonged to its fleet. 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”.

The plane departed Nelson Airport at 9.10am on Tuesday and was reported overdue just before noon. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft reached an altitude of 3100 ft before dropping to 1800 ft in 49 seconds. Other reports indicated the plane reached 944m before dropping to 550m in 90 seconds.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an enquiry to identify safety improvements.

Compiled from reports by RNZ, NZ Herald, Stuff, Otago Daily Times and 1News.