Air Force will keep the lid on PM's dodgy landing

A Royal New Zealand Air Force report on an alleged incident at Hokitika Airport, involving a Kingair aircraft carrying Prime Minister Helen Clark, is almost complete but will not be released publicly.

The Kingair is frequently used for transporting the Prime Minister and other ministers to official functions.

On January 23 the aircraft flew Helen Clark to Hokitika to attend an opening ceremony at Te Tauraka Waka a Maui Marae at Bruce Bay.

Hokitika residents said they were appalled at the way the pilot approached the airport on a day with very low cloud, finally landing in what one witness said was an unconventional and dangerous manner.

A second witness who wished to remain anonymous was so frightened by the height of the aircraft she rang the police and told them an aircraft was about to crash.
Jim Jamieson, a retired pilot and an aircraft dispatcher at Hokitika Airportfor more than 12 years, said he watched from the airport as the plane came in.

It was flying at no more than 300 feet or 400 feet.

He said the Kingair made three or four attempts at landing. When it finally came in it was still banking as it crossed the perimeter, straightening just before touching down.

Air Force flight safety officer Flight Lieutenant Lisa D'Oliveira said the report would not be made public.

- NZPA