'Full inquiry' for Warbirds over Wanaka crash
Saturday, 31 March 2018
A 'full inquiry' will be launched into why a cherry picker was on the runway when a Yak 3 vintage plane crashed during the opening of the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow.
The plane's pilot, Arthur Dovey, was 'shaken' but not injured and walked away from the accident, but the aircraft's right wing was seriously damaged.
A crash at #WarbirdsoverWanaka when an old fighter crashed into an object on the grass field. Looks like pilot is ok, but the plane lost a wing and wheel. Very scary. pic.twitter.com/Br49lEoS6D
— Scott P. Brown (@SenScottBrown) March 30, 2018
The accident delayed the air show programme by about 35 minutes while emergency services dealt with debris.
Commentator Jim Hickey said the bulk of the airshow programme would not be affected.
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The plane was at the end of its landing roll when it clipped an elevator platform (a cherry picker) that was on the grass runway.
Dovey got out and waved to the crowd before talking with emergency services personnel.
Airshow general manager Ed Taylor said the cherry picker was on the runway as part of 'an event that was happening shortly afterwards', but it was still to be determined whether or not it should have been cleared off the runway for Dovey's landing.
'We've launched a full inquiry and will try to find out exactly why it was there and the series of events. We've still got to establish all that – there are a number of people involved.'
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were aware of the accident and officials had been on site, Taylor said.
'The protocol is they have to be advised and have to give us clearance to remove the aircraft once it's established that there's no injury.'
Police, fire and ambulance crews were also stationed at the airfield, as well as the event's own ground recovery crew.
'Our whole emergency plan rolled into action … CAA were happy for us to remove the wreckage straight away, which we did,' Taylor said.
Dovey and fellow pilot Graeme Frew were flying a pair of Yak 3 aircraft following the opening sequence of the airshow, an NK90 helicopter tribute to show founder Sir Tim Wallis.
Acting Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond of the police southern command centre said the accident happened about 10.10am.
Dovey was the only person in the plane, and no spectators were injured.
'I've spoken to Arthur [Dovey] a couple of times, he's obviously shaken, upset and just sad to see his aircraft in that state, as you would expect,' Taylor said.
'But he's going to be alright, he's not injured at all, he's just shaken up.'
Not a great start to #WarbirdsoverWanaka Glad the pilot was okay! pic.twitter.com/p4mAvJVj9M
— Matt Warner (@mattwarnernz) March 30, 2018
A Yak3 taking off his morning #WarbirdsoverWanaka pic.twitter.com/lfFI2xbuJd
— Paul Stewart (@astrostew) March 30, 2018
The airshow had started again by 10.55am.
Taylor said between 25,000 and 30,000 people attended the show on Saturday and the same number, if not more, were expected for Sunday.
'We had a little bit of rain early this morning and it's cleared away, as it does in Wanaka, and it's been a very hot afternoon.
'The displays have been fantastic … the F16s out of the United States were a show highlight but also the flying of the Buchon from the UK, the Spitfire and all the other aircraft. The flying's been absolutely fantastic.'
WARBIRDS BY NUMBERS
AIRCRAFT: More than 80 aircraft, with most involved in aerial displays and the remainder on static display.
VOLUNTEERS: About 300 volunteers will be working at the show in a wide range of roles.
PILOTS: About 70 pilots will take part in displays.
AIRCRAFT NATIONS: Aircraft are coming from around New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, the United States, New Caledonia, China and Japan.
MORE INFO: warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz