oneplaneboy

Crash 'not pilot error' Last updated 12:00 03/02/2012 A friend of the Palmerston North man who died when the plane he was in crashed in Feilding has said the crash was caused by a mechanical issue, rather than pilot error. The Palms managing director Ralph Saxe, 51, and chiropractor Brett Ireland, 50, died in a Yak-52 aircraft crash at Timona Park in Feilding on January 23. It was still unclear who was flying the plane. During Dr Saxe's funeral at Taonui Aerodrome in Feilding yesterday, friend and flying partner Neil Jepsen told the more than 500 mourners the crash was not the result of pilot error. He said it appeared the crash was caused by unrecoverable mechanical failure. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed yesterday that investigators had found a "stubby type screwdriver" among the wreckage, which may have caused the crash. Spokeswoman Emma Peel said they were not certain of the cause. But the discovery mirrored a case in Britain in 2003, when two people died after a similar tool became lodged in the tail of the aircraft, and affected its controls. She said the screwdriver "may have rendered the aircraft unflyable". "Foreign object damage (FOD) is a known risk to aerobatic aircraft. Any loose material, even a paper clip, can shift during aerobatics and affect the aircraft's controls." The CAA had since contacted all New Zealand Yak-52 owners to advise them of this finding and recommended a visual inspection of any foreign objects before flying. The CAA hoped to have a preliminary report on the investigation out within three weeks.

Hey Gareth, if you feel like a trip to Lismore (1.5hr drive from Gold Coast) Northern Rivers Aero Club have a couple of Jabs

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6299527/Two-dead-in-small-plane-crash

Yeah there's been a few where alcohol has been found to be consumed from the night before, but yeah any amount of drinking then jumping in a plane is pretty much guaranteed a landing in coffin!

Wouldn't say unique to kiwis mate http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2006/b20060169_001.aspx

Yeah I remember that Stupid thing to do http://www.3news.co.nz/Men-drank-20-beers-before-plane-crash-CAA-investigation/tabid/419/articleID/130439/Default.aspx http://www.caa.govt.nz/Accidents_and_Incidents/Accident_Reports/ZK-ZXL_Fatal.pdf

Hey guys cheers for the replies Yeah I reckon you don't need flying in the blood to catch the bug! It's pretty easy to catch! The only thing about having pilots in the family is everyone is a bit more understanding of the bug and why you'd want to throw so much money at it whether it's for a job or for fun! Hi kgwilson are you flying on a Special Licence here and keeping your NZ one current? Or just the Oz RA? Thanks for the info Dazza 38, also how do you insert text from another poster like you just did? I've gone to help and tried find out for myself but it didn't look as professional as your post, maybe I'm not looking in the right place Drifter 45 I've driven past the Tyagarah airfield quite a few times and wondered how much happens there. Does the Aero Club have aircraft for hire? Would definitely pop in sometime Thanks oneplaneboy

Hi everyone I'm based in Upper Coomera looking at joining the Northern Rivers Aero Club (the other half is from that area and we're looking to move there in the next 5 years) I have a NZ PPL and I'm looking at licence options here I'm a chippy to pay the bills but flying is in the blood with Great Grandad ww1 pilot, 2 Great Uncles ww2 pilots, Dad, Uncle, Cousin - pilots I'm partially colour blind with red and green defect so was told I couldn't be a commercial pilot at a young age and since starting my PPL in 20o7 I have a night restricted medical because of it I have flown/been passenger in a number of different aircraft over the years and hold type ratings in Cessna 152, 172 and the X-air I love the x-air and hope to own one one day Cheers Oscar Papa Bravo