Plane crashed soon after repairs — report

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 14

Plane crashed soon after repairs — report

PA Wellington A plane crash in Auckland happened 15 minutes into its first flight afterbeing out of action for nine months undergoing repairs, says a report on the accident The flight was intended to be a brief one to check that the home-made aircraft was working normally, according to the report of the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Mr Ron Chippindale. Mr George Jones, a part-owner of the plane, was killed in the accident. Mr Jones flew the plane after asking one of the other owners, who had

initially intended to be pilot if he could do so. Mr Chippindale found that the probable cause of the accident in which the plane went out of control above Takapuna Beach and crashed into a nearby street was a failure in the system controlling the wing flaps. The accident occurred at 4 p.m. on December 8. The plane was seen by swimmers at Takapuna Beach and appeared to be out of control. It flew along the beach, apparently hoping to land, but the tide was in and the narrow strip of beach

was crowded with people, the report said. The pilot took the plane higher and headed to the nearest grassy open area, about 2 kilometres away, where it could have landed. However, its wing dropped and it went into a spin and struck the ground in a steep dive, out of control. The report said the plane had been inspected before the accident flight in accordance with requirements. There was no indication of any incapacitation of the pilot. An investigation after the accident showed several abnormalities within the left aileron (wing flap) control system.