Fletcher FU-24 crash, Dec 19, 2003 (1 killed), Mairoa
Fletcher FU-24 accident on December 19, 2003 near Mairoa, Waikato Regional Council, New Zealand with 1 fatality. Cause: Not determined; a wake...
- Date: December 19, 2003
- Aircraft: Fletcher FU-24
- Location: Mairoa, Waikato Regional Council, New Zealand
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Not determined; a wake turbulence encounter from a passing aircraft is considered possible.
A Fletcher FU-24 topdressing aircraft took off from a farm airstrip near Te Kuiti and crashed and burned in a field at the end of the strip. The likely trigger was wake turbulence from another topdresser that passed overhead as it became airborne. The pilot was killed. Investigators found the engine capable of full power and could not reach a conclusive cause.