Fletcher FU-24 crash, Aug 23, 1996 (1 killed), Motueka
Fletcher FU-24 accident on August 23, 1996 near Motueka, Tasman District Council, New Zealand with 1 fatality. Cause: The lone pine tree was hard to...
- Date: August 23, 1996
- Aircraft: Fletcher FU-24
- Location: Motueka, Tasman District Council, New Zealand
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The lone pine tree was hard to see in the sun and shadow, and damage to the aileron control prevented the pilot from turning away from the ridge; the aircraft then stalled in a steep turn.
A topdressing Fletcher FU-24 on a sowing run near Motueka struck a lone pine tree that was hard to see against the sun and shadow. The impact damaged the aileron control, so the pilot could not turn away from a ridge. The aircraft stalled in a steep left turn and hit the ridge face, killing the pilot.