TAIC investigating pilot training after crash

Patricia Smallman died in the crash. Photo / Supplied

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) is investigating the standard of pilot training in New Zealand following a sharp rise in fatalities and near misses involving training aircraft in the past decade.

In an interim report into the fatal mid-air collision between two Cessnas flown by students near Feilding Aerodrome, 6km southeast of the town, on July 26 the TAIC said it was investigating pilot training.

Flying student Patricia Smallman, 64, and flight instructor Jess Neeson, 27, were killed in the accident while a 21-year-old international student at the controls of a second plane managed to land safely at Feilding Aerodrome despite a dead engine and a missing wheel.

TAIC said that while the total number of aircraft collision fatalities remained steady in the periods from 1990 to 1999 and from 2000 until this year, the number involving training aircraft rose sharply in the second period.

There was only one training aircraft collision and no fatalities in the 1990s, but four collisions and seven deaths since 2000.

All fatal aircraft collisions since 2000 involved training aircraft.

The number of reported near misses involving training aircraft increased from three in the 1990s to 17 since 2000.

The number of reported near misses involving all aircraft also rose sharply, with 131 since 2000 compared to 17 in the 1990s.

Initial data also showed the number of recorded pilot training hours had doubled in the last 15 years to 300,000.

As part of further inquiries, TAIC said it would analyse the figures and investigate the effect the growing level of pilot training activity could have on air traffic control services at uncontrolled aerodromes like Feilding Aerodrome.

The interim report also gave some details about the Feilding crash, without drawing any conclusions as to the cause. TAIC said its final report would include analysis and recommendations.

Radar recordings from both Cessnas showed both maintained constant tracks in the minutes prior to the accident, with Ms Smallman's and Ms Neeson's plane maintaining 1300 feet while the Cessna flown by the surviving student climbed steadily.

The two aircraft collided at 3.27pm and the Cessna flown by Ms Smallman with Ms Neeson on board was seen to enter a steep descending spiral before crashing into the ground killing them both.

The student in the second plane managed to glide back to the aerodrome and land safely despite a dead engine.

Examination of the wreckage of the first plane was consistent with it being struck by the right tyre of the second plane.

TAIC is to continuing to investigate whether malfunction in either aircraft could have contributed to the collision.

- NZPA