New plane ends day upside down

The Tecnam Bravo lies in a crumpled heap after the crash at Wanaka Airport on Saturday. Picture / Otago Daily Times

A light aircraft crashed at Wanaka Airport on Saturday evening, causing moderate injuries to the pilot and sole occupant.

Richard Ashton Owen, 69, of Christchurch, was stabilised before being airlifted to Dunedin Hospital by the Lion Foundation rescue helicopter.

He was awaiting further surgery yesterday.

Police and an airport spokesman said it appeared Mr Owen crashed shortly after taking off. The plane landed in a crumpled heap after veering off-course and its wing hitting the ground. The spokesman said there was a slight cross-wind that may have been an issue at take-off.

Mr Owen, who owns a holiday home in Wanaka, took delivery of the new Tecnam Bravo aircraft at the weekend.

The privately owned aircraft was not on a commercial flight. For that reason, Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport Air Investigation Commission would not be investigating, although both organisations have been informed.

Tecnam SI agent Ruth Presland, of Wanaka, said on Saturday Mr Owen's survival was "testimony to the aircraft". The Tecnam Bravo had a roll cage inside the cockpit which protected the pilot from further harm.

Saturday's accident was the second at the airport - where unexpected wind gusts have been an issue - in three days .

On Thursday, another light aircraft was flipped upside down by a violent whirlwind.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES