Nine Dead in Fox Glacier Crash, New Zealand
 

Hey Guys,

Early reports were a couple injuries, then 3 deaths and now 9 confirmed deaths and an injury.......this is the worst accident NZ has seen in quite a while.

Thoughts to all involved. It's been a hell of a 12 hours for the South Island!!!

Nine dead in Fox Glacier plane crash - national | Stuff.co.nz




N.

Know a number of pilots in that area. Waiting for bad news.

9 Dead in Plane Crash near Fox Glacier, New Zealand
 

Nine dead in Fox Glacier plane crash (Source: ONE News)

Source: ONE News

Nine people are now confirmed to have died in a Fox Glacier plane crash.

The Fletcher Fixed Wing plane hit the ground just before 1.30pm and locals reported seeing a plume of smoke rising into the sky from the local airstrip.

Earlier ambulance staff said three people died at the scene, while a fourth person was taken to Greymouth Hospital with moderate injuries.

Locals believe it may have been a sky diving flight and there are reports it burst into flames after take-off.

Constable Paul Gurney said one pilot and eight passengers were on the flight.

The crash, which involved a skydive plane, happened just before 1.30pm at the end of the runway.

All nine people onboard died in the accident, police said.

A police spokesperson said the passengers and pilot were a mix of New Zealanders and tourists.

Police are now notifying next of kin.

The plane reportedly burst into flames after takeoff.

Ambulance staff did not know the age or gender of those deceased.

There is only one sky diving company based at Fox Glacier, Skydive New Zealand.

When contacted, a female employee of the company said "no comment".

A message on the company's answerphone this afternoon said, "unfortunately, we will not be skydiving for the rest of the day."

According to the company's website, Skydive New Zealand was relocated from Hokitika to the glaciers in 1997. The business is owned and operated by locals who have been involved in the skydiving and aviation industry for more than 25 years.

The aircraft, a Fletcher Fixed Wing plane, is a type operated by several scenic flight operators in the area, including ski planes, and is considered ideal for the mountain environment.

Police are at the scene.

As do I. Would appreciate any info by PM, if available.

Fletcher crash
 

I have a feeling its that EUF Fletcher conversion, an ex ag-plane. My thoughts go to the families and to skydiving nz...

EUF's a Walter-powered Fletcher. I know they had a 185 but not with 9 pax.

Very very close to home. My heart goes out to everyone involved.

Just seen footage of the plane. Not much left of it. Very very sad.

thoughts to all at Skydive NZ.

What a day the South Island has had...

As the person above said, not a lot left of it, but looking at the paint scheme on the few recognisable pieces in the TV news footage it does look like EUF. It also looks like it crashed before the end of the runway, but quite some distance to the side.

Real tragedy. :(

A couple fo pictures.
RTÉ News: Irish man dies in New Zealand plane crash

Herald has the names, very very experienced drop pilot, hell of a nice guy. Just got married in March...Sad:sad:

Farewell Chami, it was a absolute pleasure to have known you.
:(

Repeating cyphers words. I'm speechless.

And yeh what a day, my folks live about 5km from the epicentre, the house got shaken to @!#^% but there was no visible damage...

Huge shock to the guys in Queenstown. His good nature will be greatly missed.

What a great guy Chami was. A total professional. Hardworking, dedicated, competent and humble. Whenever I think of him it'll be his smiling face I remember mostly. So sad that the machinery let him down.
There but for the grace of god go I.

Condolences to the families of the other 8 people on board, all of whom set out, on that tragic day, to live life to the fullest ...... what a heartbreaking loss.

RIP to all involved...
What a 24hrs. Earthquakes here, Plane Crashes There, AND the vic floods as well! oh dear...

When is the CAA going to do something about these bloody Walter "Skodajet" turbine conversion fletchers!! How many have to fail before they ground them? What are we up to now? 20? 30 failed? Its a tragedy when an ag pilot working his ass off in challenging terrain has one of these buckets of trash fail on him, and its even worse when there is a load of people on board too skydiving.
Operators that think they are saving money putting an inferior engine in a 40 year old airframe instead of buying a cresco are just gambling with peoples lives.
Sort it out CAA, and my condolences to the families of everyone in the crash.

Aileron, no doubt your basing your comments from personal expirence. What troubles have you found with these powerplants?

The details published thus far would not appear to support an engine failure as the cause, a steep climb immediately after take off, followed by a wing drop would to me point to a C of G problem, or a take off with full aft trim. Once again, only speculation on my part.