Crash fears groundless
Christchurch - based search and rescue services were alerted yesterday after a light aircraft failed to arrive at Queenstown from Big Bay, 275 kilometres south-west of Hokitika. A Cessna 180 with two persons aboard was to have landed at Queenstown about 2.30 p.m. yesterday, according to the aircraft’s flight plan.
The Rescue Co-ordina-tion Centre at Christ-, church Airport began preparations about 3 p.m., but search controllers were unable to establish
whether the “missing” aircraft had taken off. The remote bay has no telephone or radio link,
and pilots have to use the beach as an airstrip.
A private helicopter sent from Queenstown did not reach Big Bay until 5.30 p.m., when the Cessna was found to be still on the ground, and the two persons safe and .well. The pilot had decided not to take off because of deteriorating weather. His decision was praised by search and rescue officials.
“There have been several cases recently of pilots under-estimating the problems of flying a light aircraft in poor weather. This pilot certainly acted in a correct manner,” a spokesman said.
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Press, 18 April 1979, Page 6
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181Crash fears groundless Press, 18 April 1979, Page 6
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