Air tragedy's 'clear combination of events'

A "clear combination of events" led to an air tragedy in which three people died, a coroner says.

The finding into the deaths of two teenagers in a light plane and the pilot of a helicopter were released today.

The collision between the plane and helicopter happened at Paraparaumu Airfield north of Wellington on February 17, 2008.

Those who died were plane pilot Bevan Hookway, 17, and the occupants of a Robinson helicopter - student pilot James Taylor, 19, and the experienced rescue pilot who was testing him, David Fielding, 30.

Mr Hookway was flying solo in a Cessna light plane while Mr Taylor was doing his final flight test when the aircrafts collided.

Coroner Ian Smith said a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety report in 1996 identified the potential for a mid-air collision.

However, changes recommended to the system had been ignored, he said.

"Having reviewed all the evidence...it was clear that, in my view, at the time of the collision there had been less than a robust application of ensuring that the airport and its users met the standards expected."

He pointed to a "laissez-faire attitude" at the airport.

"There appeared to be a missed opportunity in 1996 which had recommended that an aerodrome traffic zone be established to prevent itinerant aircraft overflying the the aerodrome and that an overhead joining procedure be promulgated."

There were a number of factors that resulted in the crash, Coroner Smith said.

"The operation allowing aircraft to operate in opposing circuits created a potential for a collision and as such was a flawed concept."

made recommendations to Minister of Transport Simon Bridges and Civil Aviation director Graeme Harris which include monitoring and inspection of non-certified aerodromes to ensure compliance with standards, on a two-yearly basis.

A review on how rules on operational procedures were made known at uncontrolled aerodromes should also take place, Coroner Smith said.

It was possible there was also confusion for the pilots regarding the radio transmissions on the day, coupled with the pilots' preoccupation with the flight testing pressures that they were undergoing, Coroner Smith said.

There would have been "little reaction time" to avoid a collision , he said.

The policy to "self-regulate" was flawed with the airport failing to monitor its operations.

"I therefore consider that the law and rules need to be changed...to allow CAA to monitor more closely the operation of all uncontrolled aerodromes."
Post mortem examinations of the men found they all died from multiple injuries.

A Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report, detailed in the coroner's findings, found the pilots were concentrating on flying their aircraft and undertaking planned manoeuvres "to the detriment of maintaining an effective lookout", Coroner Smith said.

"Despite the pilots of both aircraft making appropriate radio calls, they should have alerted the other and ensured adequate separation being maintained as the two aircraft closed in on each other, the pilots appeared to make no attempt to continue the lookout until positively identifying the other aircraft and turning away," the report said.

All pilots had a responsibility to maintain a good lookout and avoid a collusion regardless of who had the right of way, it said.

Coroner Smith said a "near perfect storm" of events developed on the day of the tragedy.

- NZME.

Add a Comment