First a light plane with 3 on board crashed at Fox Glacier airfield. All survived, 2 pax with just scratches and the pilot with punctured lung. Was in CHCH Hospital last night in the ED visiting, the pilot was in the ED. Word from the emergency service people involved (was visiting a colleague of theirs, and heard a few tidbits of info) was that the pilot thought they were landing at Franz Joseph Airfield, some 20km to the south, realised they didn't have enough room to land, went around, but couldn't outclimb the trees at the far end and ended upside down at the crash site. Not sure of a/c type but was mentioned that the gear was retracted
Franz is north of Fox. It's interesting how many people confuse the two airfields. It is pretty darn busy at both airfields especially at Fox where there are 4 helicopter operators operating in very close proximity to the airstrip. If you're not totally sure of your position it's probably a good idea to stay well out of there and on the coast,- as most do. It is not a very good airstrip to mess up on with very limited go around possibilities, but I guess they found that out the hard way. Those dirty great big mountains at the eastern end are a pretty good giveaway though...
Hope they make a fully and speedy recovery
BTW was supposedly a Cardinal RG.