Investigation Summary
The accident aircraft, ZK-EUF, was a 1981-built Fletcher FU-24 that had undergone two significant modification periods. In 1998, its original Lycoming IO-720 piston engine was replaced with a more powerful Walter M601 turboprop engine. Following its purchase by Skydive New Zealand in early 2010, the aircraft was further modified from an agricultural 'top-dresser' to a skydiving platform, a conversion that involved removing agricultural equipment to accommodate eight parachutists. It re-entered service in this new configuration in July 2010, just two months prior to the accident. On the day of the crash, the pilot had completed nine successful sorties. For the tenth flight, the aircraft was loaded with four instructors and four tourists. Witnesses described a sudden, uncontrollable pitch-up after liftoff. The TAIC's initial 2012 report focused on weight and balance, noting the aircraft was likely 0.122m behind its aft center of gravity limit and slightly overweight. However, this finding was challenged during a 2012 coroner's inquest and a 2014 independent media investigation. Critics pointed out that the TAIC had ordered the wreckage buried just three days after the crash, failing to inspect the control cables, trim actuators, or the control stick lock. When the wreckage was later exhumed by private investigators, no definitive mechanical failure could be proven due to the damage from burial and the initial impact, but the possibility of a control system failure or an undetected technical defect remained. The TAIC eventually issued an addendum in 2015, admitting that while the rearward center of gravity increased risk, it should not have been the sole cause of the loss of control, leaving the primary trigger unknown.
Final Conclusions
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) published an Addendum to Final Report 10-009 in October 2015. The review concluded that while the aircraft was approximately 110 kg over its maximum permissible weight and its center of gravity was estimated to be 0.120m rearward of the limit, these factors alone should not have caused the accident based on flight tests. The Commission acknowledged that it could not determine the specific cause of the excessive pitch-up. The report noted that the engine was delivering power and it was exceptionally unlikely the control lock was engaged. The investigation highlighted significant flaws in the regulatory oversight of aircraft modifications and the management of the initial accident scene.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
The pilot had extensive experience but very low time on the Fletcher FU-24 type. He had completed 9 successful sorties earlier on the day of the accident.
Systems & Failure Modes
Weight and Balance
The aircraft was operating with a center of gravity estimated at 0.120m behind the aft limit, which significantly reduced longitudinal stability.
Control Surfaces
Investigators were unable to rule out a failure in the elevator control system or trim because the wreckage was buried before these components were inspected.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a modified agricultural plane that had been in skydiving service for only three months.
- 02All nine occupants were killed instantly upon impact and the subsequent post-crash fire.
- 03The operator had never performed formal weight and balance calculations for the aircraft since its conversion.
- 04The TAIC ordered the wreckage buried before critical control systems could be fully examined.
- 05The 2015 revised findings stated that weight and balance issues alone were insufficient to cause the crash.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Emergency Airworthiness Directive
The NZ CAA issued an AD limiting the number of passengers in FU-24 aircraft and requiring accurate weight and balance records for skydiving flights.
TAIC Investigative Policy Change
Following criticism, TAIC implemented new policies requiring the removal and securing of all evidence from accident sites for the duration of investigations.
Adventure Aviation Regulations
New rules (Part 115) were introduced in 2011 to provide stricter oversight of adventure aviation activities in New Zealand.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Premature Burial of Wreckage
Reference ↗The TAIC was heavily criticized by the Coroner and families for ordering the wreckage buried three days after the crash, which was described as 'appalling incompetence' that destroyed vital evidence.
Disputed Cause of Crash
Reference ↗The initial 2012 report blamed weight and balance, but independent experts and a later TAIC review found this was likely incorrect, leading to a formal revision of the final report in 2015.