Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2B-26 Islander at Okiwi Station
Date & Time:
Jan 25, 2013 at 0827 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-DLA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Auckland – Okiwi Station
MSN:
2131
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
296.00
Circumstances:
On approach to runway 18 at Okiwi, New Zealand, the aircraft encountered windshear on short final as the pilot reduced power to land. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent rate and the aircraft landed heavily. Damage was caused to both landing gear oleos and one brake unit, with rippling found on the upper and lower skin of each wing. One passenger sustained a back injury, which was later identified as a fractured vertebra. The pilot was aware of fluctuating wind conditions at Okiwi and had increased the approach speed to 70 knots as per company standard operating procedures. The pilot reported that despite this, the airspeed reduced rapidly and significantly at 10 to 15 feet agl, leaving little time to react to the situation.
Probable cause:
Loss of height and hard landing due to windshear on short final.
