Fletcher FU-24 crash, Dec 8, 2012 (1 killed), Rotorua
Fletcher FU-24 accident on December 8, 2012 near Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, New Zealand with 1 fatality. Cause: An aerodynamic stall...
- Date: December 8, 2012
- Aircraft: Fletcher FU-24
- Location: Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, New Zealand
- Fatalities: 1
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: An aerodynamic stall during a climbing turn at low altitude, without enough height to recover. The pilot's limited agricultural experience and unfamiliarity with the type were not excluded as contributing factors.
A trainee agricultural pilot was topdressing at Waikite Valley near Rotorua with progressively heavier fertiliser loads, the last five at 1100 kg. During a climbing left turn at low altitude the aircraft stalled and entered a left spin. It went below the ridge line and the pilot was killed.