Accident CPC Fletcher FU-24 ZK-BOA,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 63020
 
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Date:Monday 6 July 1964
Time:10:12
Type:Silhouette image of generic FU24 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
CPC Fletcher FU-24
Owner/operator:Wanganui Aero Work Ltd
Registration: ZK-BOA
MSN: 53
Fatalities:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Location:Tayforth, Whanganui -   New Zealand
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:Training
Departure airport:NZWU
Destination airport:NZWU
Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative:
Pilot Trevor Leonard Deacon, killed.
R.I.P.

The pilot was the holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence and had recently completed an agricultural flying training course at Wanganui.

On the 6th of July, 1964 he was doing further practice flying to increase his experience in the FU24 before commencing agricultural flying work.

He was briefed by the chief pilot to load the hopper of ZK-BOA with about 8 hundredweight (896 pounds /407 kg) of sand and to proceed to an approved low-flying practice area and familiarise himself with the feel of the aircraft at the threshold of a stall, but not to incur a full stall. This exercise was to be carried at a height of between 1,000 and 1,500 feet.
The plane was seen by a number of eyewitnesses in the Mosstown area, about five miles from the airport, to be flying both low and slow. One witness, a 150-hour pilot, said he was perturbed by the height, speed, and type of flying being undertaken. He estimated the height to be between 150 and 200 feet while making low speed runs and turns, and at times the nose of the Fletcher would pitch down followed by an increase in engine noise.
Impact with the ground was not observed by anyone, but one person who had seen the plane flying at between 100 and 200 feet heard the thud of the crash two or three minutes later.

Evidence at the crash site showed the the plane had hit the ground in a steep diving turn to the left, leading to the conclusion that a stall had occurred in a turn and that the impact happened while it was gaining momentum in an uncontrolled left-hand spiral. Normally an FU24 would fly itself out of such a situation given sufficient height.

ZK-BOA was totally wrecked in the crash, but fire did not occur. This was not a survivable accident.

There was no evidence of structural or engine failure prior to the impact.
The flying weather was CAVU and calm.

The crash investigator concluded that the plane had stalled at about 200 feet AGL, and that the port wing dropped steeply and the aircraft struck the ground before control could be regained.
It was also concluded that the pilots relative inexperience, both in total flying and in the FU24, was a major factor in this accident.



Sources:

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=7333
Report of a Civil Aircraft Accident No. 25/3/1424

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
22-May-2009 12:58 XLerate Added
22-Apr-2014 15:12 TB Updated [Cn, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Nature, Damage, Narrative]
15-Mar-2016 00:05 angels one five Updated [Time, Operator, Total fatalities, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]
15-Mar-2016 00:10 angels one five Updated [Narrative]
18-Feb-2022 07:14 Ron Averes Updated [Location]

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