Death microlight just two weeks old

By KEVIN TAYLOR

The pilot killed when his microlight aircraft crashed near Hamilton bought the new plane just two weeks ago.

Police yesterday named the dead pilot as 62-year-old Hamilton telecommunications contractor Richard James Evans-McLeod.

The $35,000 plane was bought two weeks ago from Te Kowhai microlight manufacturer Micro Aviation, company owner Max Clear said yesterday.

The two-seater Bantam B22J smashed through the front fence of Gabrielle and Reo Iti's rural property on Jury Rd, near Hamilton, removing a tree branch and ending up nose-down just short of the house. No one was home at the time.

Mr Clear said he had known Mr Evans-McLeod for 35 years. He died a day after his 62nd birthday.

"He worked for the post office and Telecom, and was a keen aviator."

Mr Clear said no engine or structural fault had been found in the microlight yet.

He confirmed it was sold to Mr Evans-McLeod only a fortnight ago.

Bantams have been exported to Australia, Britain, the United States and Asia. More than 100 are owned in New Zealand, where the type is the most popular microlight.

Mr Clear has built 194 Bantams over the past 15 years. He said his planes "have a good track record and I want to keep it that way".

Auckland Bantam owner Alex McNab said the plane was lovely to fly and the man who built them was a professional.

"They are a fantastic little plane, and if they are operated within their limits they are extremely safe. I would imagine they would be one of the most popular microlights."

Mr McNab said he had met Mr Evans-McLeod a few times and he had been a likeable man.

"It's just unfortunate what happened," he said.

Senior Sergeant Wayne Petherick, of Hamilton, said the coroner had been advised and air accident inspectors were investigating.