Go-Around
19th Jan 2002, 05:34
<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1769000/1769482.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1769000/1769482.stm</a>
Deepest condolences to all involved.
Six people have died when a light aircraft hit a mountain in New Zealand.
Five tourists and a pilot were on board when the plane crashed in the Fiordland Sounds, on the South Island.
Two of the tourists were British, one was a New Zealander, and the other two were believed to be US citizens.
The Air Fiordland single-engined Cessna 207 was flying from Te Anau to Milford, when it went down in fine weather shortly after 0930 (2030GMT Friday).
Wreckage was found on the Gertrude Saddle, 11km (seven miles) from Milford Sound.
The plane had hit the hillside at 1,400 metres (4,500 feet), about 60 metres (200 feet) below the summit of the mountain.
"I have no idea what could have gone wrong," said Air Fiordland chief executive Russell Baker.
"It was a clear day with beautiful skies."
According to a Radio New Zealand reporter, eyewitnesses said that the plane was flying unevenly shortly before the crash.
Police began a search after the plane after the plane failed to arrive at Milford and was reported overdue.
Deepest condolences to all involved.
Six people have died when a light aircraft hit a mountain in New Zealand.
Five tourists and a pilot were on board when the plane crashed in the Fiordland Sounds, on the South Island.
Two of the tourists were British, one was a New Zealander, and the other two were believed to be US citizens.
The Air Fiordland single-engined Cessna 207 was flying from Te Anau to Milford, when it went down in fine weather shortly after 0930 (2030GMT Friday).
Wreckage was found on the Gertrude Saddle, 11km (seven miles) from Milford Sound.
The plane had hit the hillside at 1,400 metres (4,500 feet), about 60 metres (200 feet) below the summit of the mountain.
"I have no idea what could have gone wrong," said Air Fiordland chief executive Russell Baker.
"It was a clear day with beautiful skies."
According to a Radio New Zealand reporter, eyewitnesses said that the plane was flying unevenly shortly before the crash.
Police began a search after the plane after the plane failed to arrive at Milford and was reported overdue.