Fletcher FU-24 crash, Apr 4, 2003 (2 killed), Douglas
Fletcher FU-24 accident on April 4, 2003 near Douglas, Taranaki Regional Council, New Zealand with 2 fatalities. Cause: The impact was consistent with...
- Date: April 4, 2003
- Aircraft: Fletcher FU-24
- Location: Douglas, Taranaki Regional Council, New Zealand
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The impact was consistent with partial recovery from a dive with insufficient height. No conclusive reason was found for the aircraft to be in that situation. Light conditions and possible fatigue and carbon monoxide absorption may have affected judgement.
A topdressing Fletcher FU-24 on a late afternoon series of fertiliser runs near Stratford struck the ground heavily after a pull-up during a turn, killing the pilot and the loader driver who had boarded for the return. The pilot was reported overdue and the wreckage was found after midnight. The CAA report found no pre-accident defect and considered the impact consistent with partial recovery from a dive.