Two dead after light plane crashes in remote Nelson region of New Zealand
Why It MattersAnother fatal light-aircraft accident in mountainous terrain keeps attention on general aviation operating risk in remote regions, pending whatever the Civil Aviation Authority-supported investigation establishes.
Two people have died after a light aircraft crashed in a remote area of the Nelson region, New Zealand. Police were notified just before midday that the aircraft, which had taken off from Nelson Airport at 9.10am, was overdue. The wreckage was later located in a remote area south of Castor Peak, near the boundary of the Nelson and Marlborough regions, and police confirmed that two people died in the crash.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the aircraft was a Cessna that can carry four people. According to the mayor, it reached an altitude of 3,100ft after taking off, then suddenly dropped to 1,800ft and was lost from radar near the Bryant Range, about 35km north-east of Nelson.
Recovery work is underway, with emergency services working to retrieve the deceased and examine the crash scene. The investigation will be carried out in conjunction with investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority, and a range of partner agencies are supporting the response.
