Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
27 November 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

For further information contact:
Bill Sommer
Tel: 0–4–560 9411 or 0–27–546 8216

The accident report can be viewed on the CAA web site, www.caa.govt.nz, under Accidents & incidents - Fatal accident reports – 06/307 ZK-MBD and ZK-MBL, 4.4 Km North of Shannon

or use this link:
http://www.caa.govt.nz/Accident_Reports/ZK-MBD_ZK-MBL_Fatal_09Feb2006.pdf

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Fatal Accident Report: ZK-MBD and ZK-MBL, Shannon, 9 February 2006

A Civil Aviation Authority safety investigation has concluded that a mid-air collision between two Massey University School of Aviation aircraft engaged in general flying training exercises to the south of Palmerston North caused both Cherokee Warrior aircraft to crash 3 km north of Shannon, killing the pilot of each aircraft.

The pilots of both aircraft had earlier departed Palmerston North airport to conduct separate general flying exercises in preparation for flight tests for the issue of Commercial Pilot Licences.

The investigation was able to determine from the available radar plot that the pilot of MBD was tracking to the north, descending at 600 feet/minute, apparently returning to Palmerston North. MBL had previously descended in a left hand orbit to an altitude of 600ft, consistent with conducting a forced landing practice and was climbing to the east at 750 feet/minute at the time of the accident.

MBL collided with MBD from underneath the left wing at an altitude of 1550ft. The collision resulted in the propeller of MBL severing the right wing of MBD, while the right undercarriage of MBD severed the right wing of MBL. The accident was not survivable.

The investigation concluded that both pilots held private pilot licences, had the appropriate experience for the training being conducted, and both had been briefed and appropriately authorised for the sequences they were to fly.

Both aircraft had valid Airworthiness Certificates, had been maintained in accordance with normal aviation practice, and had been operating in a normal manner prior to the collision.

The investigation concluded that the accident occurred because the pilots were not able to sight each other, as a result of the aircrafts' inherent blind spots (a 16° blind spot from the left side windscreen frame of MBD, and a 20° blind spot from the windscreen centre support of MBL) and because, for much of the time that it was climbing, MBL was headed directly towards the sun.

As a result of the accident Massey University School of Aviation has implemented new procedures to ensure that:

  • The flight authorisation book now reflects the anticipated training area to be used by each flying school aircraft; and
  • There are formal briefings between instructors and the duty instructor to limit the number of Massey school aircraft in each training area.

The CAA is currently working with local operators to develop a Common Frequency Zone for the Palmerston North southern training area. All operators in the southern training area have agreed to monitor 119.1 MHz as a common user frequency until a discrete frequency is issued.

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