NZ's only Fouga crashes

[flyboy-nz]

Two Die In Vintage Jet Crash
19/03/2004 12:03 PM
NewstalkZB

Two people have been killed in vintage jet crash in the Firth of Thames.

The Fouga Magister jet came down off Kaiaua, on the Auckland side of the bay late this morning.

Eyewitness Jacki Gausden says she saw the plane carrying out aerobatics in the area. She says it went straight up into the air then spiraled back down before disappearing behind the roofs of houses. Ms Gausden expected the plane to come back up, but she says the next thing she heard was a bang as it hit the water.

Several people swum out to the wreckage to try to rescue the victims.

The French-built twin-engined jet belongs to the Warbirds syndicate, Caltrack Associates and is the only one of its kind in New Zealand.

This type of jet was used up until the 1970s as a French military trainer and proved its combat worth during the six-day war in June 1967 when Israeli aircraft flew ground attack missions in Egypt and Jordan.

The aircraft that has crashed was in active service with the French Armee de l'Air until the 1990s.

http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,3882-3187677,00.html

Very sad moment indeed for new zealand aviation. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of our fallen friends.

[stillalbatross]

Thank you NZ Herald for mentioning they were doing aerobatics in cloud. Bring on Les Bloxham..................

[Vmo248]

From reports the aircraft was practising aerobatics for the Taupo
Wings/Wine+Food fest this weekend. :{

@@@

Emergency services have recovered one body from the wreckage of a vintage warbird which crashed in the Firth of Thames.

Ambulance team leader Kathryn Caulfield says both people on board the Fouga Magister plane have died.

She says one body has been recovered but emergency services are still trying to reach the other person.

The body of the second occupant remains in the aircraft, 100 metres off the coast of Kaiaua about 10.20 this morning.

Police spokeswoman Angeline Barlow says the jet is partially buried in the mud, making recovery difficult.

She says they are waiting for low tide for easier access to the aircraft.

The Auckland police helicopter Eagle is at the scene along with fire and ambulance staff.

Eyewitnesses say the Fouga was performing aerobatics which were followed by a loud bang, before the jet spiraled into the sea.

The plane flew out of Ardmore, south of Auckland, and was due to have taken part in this weekend's Wings and Wine airshow at Taupo.

Warbirds Association spokesman Roy Armstrong says there were two male crew on board.

Kaiaua resident June Thompson's house overlooks the bay where she can see the wing sticking out of the mud.

The plane that crashed is the only example of the aircraft in New Zealand, and was imported by the late Dougal Dallison in 1998.

It entered service in June 1960 and has its original engines but has been fitted with a hydraulic boost.

It was on active service until June 1995 with the French Armee de l'Air, having been rebuilt as a light strike aircraft.

It was last in service with the 8th Escadre de Chasse at the Centre de Tir et de Bombardement where it was used to identify targets.

The aircraft was reassembled by WrightAir at Tauranga after being decommissioned by the French, and registered on March 17, 1998, a year before Mr Dallison's sudden death.

The plane was then sold to a warbirds syndicate, operating as 'Caltrack Associates'

[Cypher]

"It went up into the clouds, did a couple of rolls and a couple of loops and sort of came down spiralling and went straight in," he said.

-Eyewitness, NZ Herald Report, March 2004

Obviously wasn't in the cloud if this eyewitness could see it was doing rolls and loops...

I'm going to miss hearing the characteristic whine of a Magister as it starts up in the morning at work... :(

Condolences to the family and to the Warbirds...

[squire]

"It went up into the clouds, did a couple of rolls and a couple of loops and sort of came down spiralling and went straight in," he said.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Auckland chief executive officer Rea Wikaira told NZPA the jet's wreckage was spread over a wide area.

"From that, we know it would have been a high velocity impact," he said.

A staff member at Kaiaua fish and chip shop, who did not want to be named, told NZPA that customers outside heard "a big boom" around 10am.

"The plane really made a big noise when it crashed into the water," she said.Really! :yuk: