Pilot involved in fatal collision failed exams - inquest

The wreckage of the plane that collided with another aircraft near Feilding last July, killing two. Photo / Kevin Bills

A pilot involved in a Manawatu mid-air collision that claimed the lives of two women failed his flight exams at a South African flight school, an inquest was told today.

Flight instructor Jessica Neeson, 27, and trainee pilot Patricia Smallman, 64, of Waikanae, were killed when their Cessna 152 and another aircraft collided near Feilding last July.

The other pilot, 21-year-old Indian student Manoj Kadam, told coroner Tim Scott at an inquest in Palmerston North today that he was climbing to an altitude of 1500 feet when he felt a "jolt", the Dominion Post reported.

Ms Neeson's mother, Lyn Neeson, read a letter from Brad Venter, who worked at the flight school Mr Kadam studied at in South Africa, a year before coming to New Zealand.

Mr Venter said he believed Mr Kadam left the school because he was struggling having passed only two exams out of seven in six months.

But Mr Kadam rejected Mr Venter's claims and says he left the flight school because bad weather and a lack of aircraft stopped him flying regularly.

The hearing is continuing.

- NZPA