Pilot ‘lost control’

Press, 20 July 1979, Page 3

Pilot ‘lost control’

P A Wellington Pilots flying under visual flight rules (V.F.R.) conditions must be able to recognise signs of deteriorating weather and have sufficient self-discipline to take appropriate action to avoid being trapped by low cloud or bad visibility, according to the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents (Mr R. Chippindale).

His comments are made in a report on an accident at the South Manukau Heads on July 11 last year when the pilot of a Piper Cherokee, Brian Kevin Shenkin, died and two passengers, the pilot’s son, David Shenkin, and Douglas Ross, were seriously injured. Mr Chippindale said the probable cause of the accident was that the pilot lost control of the aircraft after continuing the flight beyond twilight and into deteriorating weather. Mr Chippindale said in his report that strong headwinds, turbulence, and deteriorating weather had been encountered during the V.F.R. flight from Wanganui to Ardmore. The pilot had diverted to New Plymouth, but after four attempts to land, including one when he had actually touched down, had been thwarted by strong crosswinds and turbulence, and had elected to continue to Hamilton.

In failing light and low cloud he was unable to find Hamilton, and so attempted to reach Auckland. The weather did not improve and when severe turbulence was encountered near the Manukau Heads, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, which struck the top of a ridge and overturned. The report said that a post-mortem analysis of the pilot’s blood revealed a 9 per cent saturation with carbon-monoxide. No evidence, however, was found of a leakage of gases from the exhaust system or the heater muff. The report said that because of the general destruction of the fuselage it • was not practical to deter- . mine whether exhaust gases could have entered 1 the cabin through the fire- • wall, door seals, or any other route. Mr Chippindale said in his conclusions that it was important for pilots on V.F.R. flights to plan ahead , and to have sufficiently detailed information to be able to divert to another aerodrome or divert from ■ a track without hesitation when this was necessary. ■ Mr Shenkin’s private pilot’s licence was endorsed < “not valid for the carriage ;of passengers by night,” and he had received no in- • strument-flying instruc- , tions.