Plane maker undaunted by tragedy

By CHRIS DANIELS

Hamilton plane maker Pacific Aerospace says its business is in good heart, despite the death last month of delivery pilot Kelvin Stark in a mid-ocean crash.

Stark was killed when he ran out of fuel while delivering the company's pride and joy, a newly built PAC750XL, to the United States.

An internal tank had been fitted to enable the plane to remain airborne for the long flight to the US. A rescue plane pilot who shadowed Stark before he tried to land on the ocean surface said Stark had said he thought that one of the fuel tanks had ruptured.

Because the crash happened in international waters, New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority, as the regulatory body of the country where the plane was registered, is studying its cause.

Pacific Aerospace will not comment on any possible changes to the fuel system installed for delivery flights, saying this could be seen to be pre-judging any investigation.

PAC managing director Brian Hare said customers, prospective buyers and aviation commentators had not linked the incident with the quality or safety of the aircraft.

He said the prompt order by the Utility Aircraft Corporation for a second plane showed that it had total faith in the new aircraft.

The company has already sold 18 planes and says it has "options firmly in place" for a further 260.

Hare said the company was "in good heart", with the PAC750XL market development programme going to plan.

"We are gearing up for the busiest year in our 45-year history with increased orders for all the other aircraft in our fleet as well as major expansion planned for our manufacturing plant and staff here at Hamilton."