Gisborne

On 13 June 2001, Cresco ZK-TMO arrived at Te Aroha Station, 25 km west of Gisborne, to carry out topdressing of that property. Before operations started, the property owner briefed the pilot, and two observation flights over the areas to be sown were made. The owner also cautioned the pilot against turning left after take-off from the airstrip. Spreading commenced at 1600 hours, and 14 flights with 1800 kg loads were completed that day. The loader driver reported that no difficulties were experienced during those operations. Spreading recommenced at 0720 hours on 14 June 2001, again with 1800 kg loads, in an area to the left (east) of the airstrip. On the third flight after a refuel later in the morning, the loader driver noticed that the pilot made a partial load jettison after take-off; this resulted in a reduced duration of that sortie. However, on return, the pilot did not indicate to the loader driver that he required a reduced load. About 1145 hours, the aircraft was reloaded and commenced take-off. The loader driver watched about half the take-off roll, then continued preparing for the next load. He did not sight the aircraft again before a pall of black smoke attracted his attention. After making a radio call to the aircraft and hearing no response, the loader driver ran towards the smoke, which was to the left of and below the elevated strip. On reaching the site he found the aircraft inverted in a small stream and burning fiercely. The loader driver could see the pilot inside the aircraft but he and the property owner were unable to reach him because of the intense heat of the fire. The accident occurred in daylight, at approximately 1145 hours NZST, at Te Aroha Station; latitude S 38° 38.0' longitude E 177° 41.8', at an elevation of approximately 770 feet.

Crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

On final approach to Auckland-Ardmore Airport, the aircraft's speed increased from 165 to 211 knots. The pilot-in-command (first officer) completed a last turn to join the runway 05 but was unable to locate it due to heavy showers. Too low, the airplane struck water surface and crashed in shallow water 1,025 meters short of runway 05 threshold. A pilot and a passenger were killed while two other occupants were injured.

After completing a topdressing mission in the Te Karaka area, the pilot was flying back to his base in Gisborne. En route, the single engine airplane turn steeply to the right then entered a dive and crashed by a wooded area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The crew was involved in a local test flight after the airplane has been rebuilt following another accident. After takeoff, the airplane went out of control and crashed by the runway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

En route from Gisborne to Luganville, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea, killing all five crew members.

The aircraft departed Gisborne at 1245LT bound for Hastings, carrying two passengers, one pilot and several mail bags. While cruising over the area of Wairoa, the pilot drop a mail bag when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto the side of a road. All three occupants were killed. It appears the aircraft stalled while the pilot was trying to gain altitude after dropping the mail bag.
Crew:
Ivan Louis Kight.
Passengers:
Walter Findlay,
Mr. W.C. Strand.