Hokitika - Hokitika
Flight / Schedule
Hokitika - Hokitika
Aircraft
Fletcher FU-24Registration
ZK-DJF
MSN
177
Year of Manufacture
1972
Operator
Rowley AviationDate
October 28, 1984 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Hokitika West Coast Regional Council
Region
Oceania • New Zealand
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On October 28, 1984 at 12:00 AM, Hokitika - Hokitika experienced a crash involving Fletcher FU-24, operated by Rowley Aviation, with the event recorded near Hokitika West Coast Regional Council.
The flight was categorized as skydiving / paratroopers and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
5 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 20.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The single engine aircraft departed Hokitika Airport on a local skydiving flight, carrying four skydivers and one pilot. The ripcord of the reserve parachute of one of the jumpers was snagged as he climbed out of the cockpit and the chute streamed and began to deploy. The jumper struck the tailplane as he was dragged aft, damaging it, and the Fletcher went out of control and dived into the ground. The remaining parachutists all escaped the crashing plane by the use of their parachutes but the pilot, who was not wearing a parachute, was killed in the crash. The jumper whose reserve had accidentally deployed suffered a head injury which rendered him unconscious briefly but landed safely.
Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-DJF, MSN 177, year of manufacture 1972.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The single engine aircraft departed Hokitika Airport on a local skydiving flight, carrying four skydivers and one pilot. The ripcord of the reserve parachute of one of the jumpers was snagged as he climbed out of the cockpit and the chute streamed and began to deploy. The jumper struck the tailplane as he was dragged aft, damaging it, and the Fletcher went out of control and dived into the ground. The remaining parachutists all escaped the crashing plane by the use of their parachutes but the pilot, who was not wearing a parachute, was killed in the crash. The jumper whose reserve had accidentally deployed suffered a head injury which rendered him unconscious briefly but landed safely.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
4
Estimated Survivors
4
Fatality Rate
20.0%
Known people on board: 5
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Hokitika - Hokitika
Operator
Rowley AviationFlight Type
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Oceania • New Zealand
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Walsh Brother's Flying School
Avro 504
The pilot was performing a sightseeing flight around New Plymouth. While approaching to land, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the aerodrome. All three occupants were killed. Crew: Captain Richard Russell, pilot Passengers: James Clarke, mayor of New Plymouth, Kathleen Warnock.
Canterbury Aviation
Avro 504
The pilot H. C. Grout was performing some demo flights in the region of Blenheim. After a stop in Kaikoura, he was positioning to his base in Christchurch. En route, the engine failed and he was forced to attempt an emergency landing. At low height, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wheat field near Motunau. Seriously injured, the pilot was evacuated to a local hospital but died from his injuries in the evening. The aircraft was destroyed.
Canterbury Aviation
Avro 504
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Wigram AFB. There were no casualties.
K. W. J. Hall
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Waikari, north of Christchurch. The pilot and owner K. W. J. Hall was unhurt.
Aerial Services New Zealand
Dornier DO.12 Libelle
The crew was performing a local test flight out of Auckland when the engine misfired on approach. The seaplane stalled and crashed in the Mechanics Bay, off Milford Beach. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. Crew: Don Harkness, pilot. Passenger: Charles Goldsbro.
Bryant House Airways
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Captain A. W. Saunders was performing demo flights on the racecourse of Te Awamutu. With his passenger Alfred W. Minchin, he climbed to a height of 1,000 feet when the plane was seen to enter a spin. The spin was recovered from about 50 feet and the Moth was still diving when it impacted the ground. Both occupants were seriously injured and evacuated to the local hospital. While the passenger died from his injuries in the evening, the pilot died the following day. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.