A Papakura policeman who conquered the Atlantic in a small rowing boat was killed last night when the light plane he was flying nose-dived into a West Auckland beach.
Transatlantic rower Sergeant Phil Stubbs was killed when a Piper Supercub he part-owned plunged into the sand at Karekare about 6.30pm. His brother-in-law, Mark David Gusse, was seriously injured and was fighting for his life early today in Auckland Hospital.
Friends and work colleagues of Mr Stubbs - a keen pilot and adventure sportsman - were stunned at news of his death. Hamilton Olympic rower Rob Hamill - who rowed across the Atlantic with Mr Stubbs in a record-shattering 41 days last year - said he felt numb. Papakura police welfare officer Mark Leys said Mr Stubbs, aged 36, had an amazing zest for adventure. "Somebody who was close to him said to him when he was about to set off on the Atlantic rowing trip, `What do you fear?' He said, `I fear coming second'."
Witnesses described watching the plane plummet, engines screaming, seconds after taking off from Karekare beach. The force of the impact trapped both men in the wreckage and fire crews had to cut them free. The aircraft was owned by an Ardmore Airport syndicate of about 50 tailwing enthusiasts, including Sergeant Stubbs.
Pictured: The Piper Supercub after it crashed into the sands of Karekare Beach. HERALD PICTURE/BRETT PHIBBS
