Piper PA-31-310 Navajo crash, Dec 17, 2002 (3 killed), Fe...
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident on December 17, 2002 near Feilding, Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons Regional Council), New Zealand with 3 fatalities....
- Date: December 17, 2002
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
- Location: Feilding, Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons Regional Council), New Zealand
- Fatalities: 3
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: The pilot's improper handling of the one-engine-inoperative emergency, including an improbable low-level circuit and attempted return to Feilding, led to loss of control. No conclusive reason was found for the feathering of the left propeller.
A privately flown Piper PA-31-325 Navajo took off from Feilding with the pilot and his two young sons aboard. After a suspected problem with the left engine and a feathered left propeller, the pilot turned back toward Feilding at low height and attempted a landing, rather than using safer options. He lost control in a low left turn with the gear and flaps extended. All three occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.