Crew missing as Convair 580 crashes near Wellington
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Convair crash in NZ
NZPA 03.10.2003 Breaking News
11.30pm - UPDATED
Plane crashes near Waikanae
03.10.2003
11.30pm - UPDATED
Police tonight confirmed a plane had crashed near Waikanae, north of Wellington.
Senior Sergeant Peter Thurston said police searching north of Paraparaumu found wreckage on land.
The search was launched after locals reported hearing a plane circling overhead before a loud bang which sounded like thunder. The smell of aviation fuel was also reported.
It was initially believed the plane crashed at sea near Peka Peka but Mr Thurston was unable to confirm this.
He said aircraft was a Convair freight plane, with two or three crew aboard.
It is understood the plane, which was en route from Christchurch to Palmerston North, disappeared from Ohakea's radar about 9.30pm
Mr Thurston said it was pitch black, the weather was atrocious, and because Wellington was cut off because of road and rail closures, Palmerston North police had been enlisted in the search.
Police, Coastguard, the Westpac Rescue helicopter and other emergency service staff were combing the Kapiti Coast.
Kapiti Mana police area controller, Inspector John Spence, said some debris had been found in the water, about half a mile out to sea off the Paraparaumu-based Kapiti Boating Club and other debris was washing up on beaches in the Waikanae area.
There was no word yet on survivors, he said in a statement.
Kapiti Coastguard said tonight it was investigating unconfirmed reports from locals of seeing debris on land and sea and hearing "loud bangs", a spokesman said.
A Coastguard vessel was searching the area off shore, he said.
Airways Corporation spokesman Ken Mitchell said he understood two people had been on board, but all information remained unconfirmed for now.
It is understood the plane belongs to Christchurch-based Airfreight New Zealand which operates five Convair freight planes.
Airfreight New Zealand manager Murray Johnson said tonight he was gathering information, and news of the crash was "very distressing".
The company is a subsidiary of Palmerston North-based Field Air Holdings.
Owner of the Sand Castle Motel in Pekapeka, Mabs Le Page, said she heard "an enormous bang" about 9.30pm.
"It was loud, but not like thunder... a cracking explosive noise," she said.
However, she said she saw no sign of flames when she looked outside the beachfront motel.
The noise sounded as if it was heading out to sea, Mrs Le Page said.
A fire engine, police and some volunteers were at the beach.
Visibility was poor with very low cloud, she said.
"It's pitch black outside."
The sea was "wild", but high wind and heavy rains had died down.
Planes often "hugged the beach" during bad weather on their way back to Wellington Airport, she said.
- NZPA
============================================
11.30pm - UPDATED
Plane crashes near Waikanae
03.10.2003
11.30pm - UPDATED
Police tonight confirmed a plane had crashed near Waikanae, north of Wellington.
Senior Sergeant Peter Thurston said police searching north of Paraparaumu found wreckage on land.
The search was launched after locals reported hearing a plane circling overhead before a loud bang which sounded like thunder. The smell of aviation fuel was also reported.
It was initially believed the plane crashed at sea near Peka Peka but Mr Thurston was unable to confirm this.
He said aircraft was a Convair freight plane, with two or three crew aboard.
It is understood the plane, which was en route from Christchurch to Palmerston North, disappeared from Ohakea's radar about 9.30pm
Mr Thurston said it was pitch black, the weather was atrocious, and because Wellington was cut off because of road and rail closures, Palmerston North police had been enlisted in the search.
Police, Coastguard, the Westpac Rescue helicopter and other emergency service staff were combing the Kapiti Coast.
Kapiti Mana police area controller, Inspector John Spence, said some debris had been found in the water, about half a mile out to sea off the Paraparaumu-based Kapiti Boating Club and other debris was washing up on beaches in the Waikanae area.
There was no word yet on survivors, he said in a statement.
Kapiti Coastguard said tonight it was investigating unconfirmed reports from locals of seeing debris on land and sea and hearing "loud bangs", a spokesman said.
A Coastguard vessel was searching the area off shore, he said.
Airways Corporation spokesman Ken Mitchell said he understood two people had been on board, but all information remained unconfirmed for now.
It is understood the plane belongs to Christchurch-based Airfreight New Zealand which operates five Convair freight planes.
Airfreight New Zealand manager Murray Johnson said tonight he was gathering information, and news of the crash was "very distressing".
The company is a subsidiary of Palmerston North-based Field Air Holdings.
Owner of the Sand Castle Motel in Pekapeka, Mabs Le Page, said she heard "an enormous bang" about 9.30pm.
"It was loud, but not like thunder... a cracking explosive noise," she said.
However, she said she saw no sign of flames when she looked outside the beachfront motel.
The noise sounded as if it was heading out to sea, Mrs Le Page said.
A fire engine, police and some volunteers were at the beach.
Visibility was poor with very low cloud, she said.
"It's pitch black outside."
The sea was "wild", but high wind and heavy rains had died down.
Planes often "hugged the beach" during bad weather on their way back to Wellington Airport, she said.
- NZPA
============================================
Last edited by Wirraway; 4th Oct 2003 at 03:49.
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Bloody sad.
I was in NZGS when the Convair being ferried from Pago Pago made the unscheduled stop there due to geting "misplaced" and with a resulting - very - low fuel emergency.
Hope its not same one.
I was in NZGS when the Convair being ferried from Pago Pago made the unscheduled stop there due to geting "misplaced" and with a resulting - very - low fuel emergency.
Hope its not same one.
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Crew missing as Convair 580 crashes near Wellington
From This Morning NZHerald
04.10.2003
Emergency services found wreckage last last night of a cargo plane which had crashed near Waikanae, north of Wellington.
Police confirmed they had found the wreckage on land north of Paraparaumu.
Senior Sergeant Peter Thurston said the aircraft was a Convair freight plane, with two or three crew aboard.
It is understood the plane, which was en route from Christchurch to Palmerston North, disappeared from the Ohakea radar about 9.30pm.
The Kapiti Mana police area controller, Inspector John Spence, said some debris had been found in the water, about half a mile out to sea, and other debris had washed up on beaches in the Waikanae area.
There was no word on survivors.
The plane is understood to belong to Christchurch-based Airfreight New Zealand, which operates five Convair freight planes.
Airfreight New Zealand manager Murray Johnson said he was gathering information, and news of the crash was "very distressing".
The company is a subsidiary of Palmerston North-based Fieldair Holdings.
Three people died when one of its Convairs crashed into the Manukau Harbour in 1989.
One report last night said that a plane was heard circling low before a bang and that it crashed into the sea off Pekapeka.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched from Wellington and the Coastguard called in.
Locals on the Kapiti Coast alerted emergency services after hearing a bang and smelling aviation fuel.
The owner of the Sand Castle Motel in Pekapeka, Mabs Le Page, said the bang was loud, like thunder.
However, she saw no sign of flames when she looked outside. The noise sounded as though it was heading out to sea.
The plane crash occurred during very bad weather, which caused chaos in the area and is predicted to bring a polar blast to the upper North Island today.
04.10.2003
Emergency services found wreckage last last night of a cargo plane which had crashed near Waikanae, north of Wellington.
Police confirmed they had found the wreckage on land north of Paraparaumu.
Senior Sergeant Peter Thurston said the aircraft was a Convair freight plane, with two or three crew aboard.
It is understood the plane, which was en route from Christchurch to Palmerston North, disappeared from the Ohakea radar about 9.30pm.
The Kapiti Mana police area controller, Inspector John Spence, said some debris had been found in the water, about half a mile out to sea, and other debris had washed up on beaches in the Waikanae area.
There was no word on survivors.
The plane is understood to belong to Christchurch-based Airfreight New Zealand, which operates five Convair freight planes.
Airfreight New Zealand manager Murray Johnson said he was gathering information, and news of the crash was "very distressing".
The company is a subsidiary of Palmerston North-based Fieldair Holdings.
Three people died when one of its Convairs crashed into the Manukau Harbour in 1989.
One report last night said that a plane was heard circling low before a bang and that it crashed into the sea off Pekapeka.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched from Wellington and the Coastguard called in.
Locals on the Kapiti Coast alerted emergency services after hearing a bang and smelling aviation fuel.
The owner of the Sand Castle Motel in Pekapeka, Mabs Le Page, said the bang was loud, like thunder.
However, she saw no sign of flames when she looked outside. The noise sounded as though it was heading out to sea.
The plane crash occurred during very bad weather, which caused chaos in the area and is predicted to bring a polar blast to the upper North Island today.
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**** that's terrible, wonder if it's weather related. There's been some pretty hairy rides into that area lately. Was there anyone else flying in the area at the time?
I've got to go this afternoon...
I've got to go this afternoon...
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Condolences to all involved.
Lame, KSA is still definitely in the hands of Air Chathams. Sounding like an inflight break-up. Similarities to a Convair that broke up over Denmark in '89 when the tail separated, except in this case there are reports of an explosion.
Lame, KSA is still definitely in the hands of Air Chathams. Sounding like an inflight break-up. Similarities to a Convair that broke up over Denmark in '89 when the tail separated, except in this case there are reports of an explosion.
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Thank you.
Just found the latest official New Zealand Police Report on the tragedy, hope it is okay to post it here?
(QUOTE)
Search scaled back for Kapiti plane crash
National News Release, 11:30, 4 October 2003
Searchers are from midday scaling back their hunt for the two crew of a freight plane which is believed to have gone down in the sea off Kapiti Island last night.
Senior Sergeant Mike Coleman, Kapiti Police, says aerial, boat and shoreline searches have found no sign of Barry Cowley, 57, of Kaiapoi, Christchurch and his colleague Paul Miller, 50, from Auckland, who were crewing the Parcel Line Express service from Christchurch to Palmerston North last night.
Mr Coleman says Coastguard crews have now returned to shore after combing the coast from Paraparaumu to north of Peka Peka.
"We believe the Convair plane may have gone down off Kapiti Island but there’s no visible sign of it so we’ve called the crews back in," Mr Coleman says. "A helicopter will sweep the area again this afternoon with the air accident investigator, and we’ll look at putting the fixed wing aircraft up again tomorrow."
In the meantime police and search and rescue staff will continue checking the shoreline, particularly around the change of tides, for any fresh signs of the aircraft.
Mr Coleman says it’s possible members of the public may find wreckage or other crash debris washed up on the beaches.
"People who find plane wreckage should not touch it, but note the details and contact Kapiti Police or the Police Central Communications Centre in Wellington and give us the location," he says.
"If you find items of freight such as courier bags, parcels, mail or labels, then that’s a different matter. If they’re small, pick them up, note the location you found them and bring them to the Kapiti Police Station on the corner of Rimu and Kapiti Roads, Paraparaumu."
Copyright 2003 New Zealand Police
(ENDQUOTE)
Just found the latest official New Zealand Police Report on the tragedy, hope it is okay to post it here?
(QUOTE)
Search scaled back for Kapiti plane crash
National News Release, 11:30, 4 October 2003
Searchers are from midday scaling back their hunt for the two crew of a freight plane which is believed to have gone down in the sea off Kapiti Island last night.
Senior Sergeant Mike Coleman, Kapiti Police, says aerial, boat and shoreline searches have found no sign of Barry Cowley, 57, of Kaiapoi, Christchurch and his colleague Paul Miller, 50, from Auckland, who were crewing the Parcel Line Express service from Christchurch to Palmerston North last night.
Mr Coleman says Coastguard crews have now returned to shore after combing the coast from Paraparaumu to north of Peka Peka.
"We believe the Convair plane may have gone down off Kapiti Island but there’s no visible sign of it so we’ve called the crews back in," Mr Coleman says. "A helicopter will sweep the area again this afternoon with the air accident investigator, and we’ll look at putting the fixed wing aircraft up again tomorrow."
In the meantime police and search and rescue staff will continue checking the shoreline, particularly around the change of tides, for any fresh signs of the aircraft.
Mr Coleman says it’s possible members of the public may find wreckage or other crash debris washed up on the beaches.
"People who find plane wreckage should not touch it, but note the details and contact Kapiti Police or the Police Central Communications Centre in Wellington and give us the location," he says.
"If you find items of freight such as courier bags, parcels, mail or labels, then that’s a different matter. If they’re small, pick them up, note the location you found them and bring them to the Kapiti Police Station on the corner of Rimu and Kapiti Roads, Paraparaumu."
Copyright 2003 New Zealand Police
(ENDQUOTE)
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Another dark day in New Zealand aviation.
To all involved with the Air Freight operation, friends and or families, you have the best wishes and support of the entire aviation community.
To all involved with the Air Freight operation, friends and or families, you have the best wishes and support of the entire aviation community.
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Our daughter lives in Peka Peka and heard the aircraft pass overhead.
She said she was afaid that it was about to crash into the property. The engines sounded "ropey"and then there was just silence.
She immediately phoned the Police. As parts were found on Peka Peka Rd just north of her property the aircraft had obviously turned around and was heading back south.
She said it was heading out to sea.
Having lost our son in an aircraft disaster we are thankful that today we still have our daughter and our 2 grandsons but our condolences go out to the families of the two aboard.
She said she was afaid that it was about to crash into the property. The engines sounded "ropey"and then there was just silence.
She immediately phoned the Police. As parts were found on Peka Peka Rd just north of her property the aircraft had obviously turned around and was heading back south.
She said it was heading out to sea.
Having lost our son in an aircraft disaster we are thankful that today we still have our daughter and our 2 grandsons but our condolences go out to the families of the two aboard.
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It appears that yet again, one of the good guys has gone. Losing Barry Cowley reminds me a lot of when Tom Middleton was killed in Wanaka.
Like Tom, Barry had more experience than many of us put together and to top it all off was a damn good bloke.
He wasn't called Chuckles for nothing either. I never once saw him without a smile on his face.
Hopefully some facts come to light soon. TV footage of the wreckage and its trail seems to back up the inflight break-up theory.
Again thoughts go out to those affected.
MAPt.
Like Tom, Barry had more experience than many of us put together and to top it all off was a damn good bloke.
He wasn't called Chuckles for nothing either. I never once saw him without a smile on his face.
Hopefully some facts come to light soon. TV footage of the wreckage and its trail seems to back up the inflight break-up theory.
Again thoughts go out to those affected.
MAPt.
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Indead another bad day in aviation. mr approachpoint memories of Tom are still there , one of the worlds best pilots and gentleman, i have never meet such a nicer person and consider myself lucky to have been a friend and have flowen with him. In regards to the 580 accident can someone in kiwi land shed some light. Of the various reports some say wreckage is on land and sea, some say no trace. Pictures on tvnz web site show part of the nose cone. If the aircraft was ChC - PMR then why was a turbine pressurised aircraft low level possibly below 3000ft if people were to here the aircraft flying around Paraparaumu in trouble without a mayday call or pan if something was going wrong. If inflight failure could of been a result why over paraparaumua, from kiwi days CHC- PMR didnt take you over the PP NDB. Where is Peka Peka? Do they still show the kiwi and his cat going to bed at the end of the TV broadcast?
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Very Sad ....
Firstly, my sincere condolences go to the crew's families and colleagues. An awful accident such as this is a sad event indeed.
I am curious as to what criteria are used for temporarily suspending airworthiness status in cases such as this where in flight catastrophic failure appears to be indicated ...... another Convair was flying into / out of Palmerston North the next day ..... ZK FTA ..... owned by the same operator ..... seemed a little odd to me ....
Anyone out there know what's involved in these decisions ?
I am curious as to what criteria are used for temporarily suspending airworthiness status in cases such as this where in flight catastrophic failure appears to be indicated ...... another Convair was flying into / out of Palmerston North the next day ..... ZK FTA ..... owned by the same operator ..... seemed a little odd to me ....
Anyone out there know what's involved in these decisions ?
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Has anyone read the latest report on this accident in the New Zealand papers ( www.stuff.co.nz )
There is a comment from the infamous Les Bloxam who describes himself as a retired pilot, his comments and analaysis of this tragedy proves he is total ********.
Why does the media seek the opinions of these idiots and then they are stupid enough to print it.
There is a comment from the infamous Les Bloxam who describes himself as a retired pilot, his comments and analaysis of this tragedy proves he is total ********.
Why does the media seek the opinions of these idiots and then they are stupid enough to print it.
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Very very sad news indeed.
I knew Paul, 30 years ago. Condolanses to all family and friends of the crew.
Yes I agree. Let the experts carry out their investigation before any comments as to possible causes. Same for all accidents, IMHO.
I knew Paul, 30 years ago. Condolanses to all family and friends of the crew.
Yes I agree. Let the experts carry out their investigation before any comments as to possible causes. Same for all accidents, IMHO.
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Condolences from Northern Skies...
Our deepest sympathy to all concerned... I write on behalf of the vast Kiwi contingent flying over here in Europe... We are all saddened to hear of this tragedy... Our thoughts are with both families and friends...
Best regards... Ex NZ Post Pilot
Best regards... Ex NZ Post Pilot
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Very sad loss to all those concerned.
We have lost two very liked and respected gentlemen.
If anyone knows when the services are to be held could you please post it here.
We have lost two very liked and respected gentlemen.
If anyone knows when the services are to be held could you please post it here.
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Christchurch aviation writer Les Bloxham, a retired pilot, said the most likely scenario was the plane had tried to fly under the storm but had hit a tree and started breaking up before crashing into the sea. <Sunday Star Times>