Pilot killed in light plane crash at Ōtaki airfield, Civil Aviation Authority confirms

Monday, 17 August 2020

A police officer stands at the entrance to the Ōtaki Airstrip where a light plane has crashed.

A pilot was killed in a light plane crash at a private airfield in Te Horo, near Ōtaki, north of Wellington.

Police were alerted to the crash on Ōtaki Gorge Rd in Hautere at 1.20pm on Monday.

Emergency services were called to a light airplane crash on Ōtaki Gorge Rd in Hautere on Monday.

St John were called to the crash at 1.33pm, and a rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed the pilot of a Sonex amateur-built fixed-wing aircraft had died in the crash.

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Three CAA investigators are due at the crash site on Tuesday.

Ōtaki Airstrip manager Rob Kofoed said it was a tragic day.

He was notifying the family of the pilot, who was a friend of his, he said.

The airstrip is a long series of paddocks, surrounded by residential and commercial properties.

The Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter was tasked by the Rescue Coordination Centre to search for the position of an activated beacon on Monday afternoon, it said in a statement.

The crew was able to track the beacon to the Ōtaki Airfield, locating the light plane crash, it said.

Further information would be released when it becomes available, police said.

The death will be referred to the coroner.