CVLT, en-route, Kapiti Coast New Zealand, 2003
CVLT, en-route, Kapiti Coast New Zealand, 2003
Summary
On 3 October 2003, a Convair 580 on a scheduled night freight flight from Christchurch to Palmerston North, was observed on radar to enter a tightening left turn and disappear while descending through an area of severe icing. The aircraft impacted the sea vertically and at high speed.
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Cargo)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Cruise
Location
Approx.
about 10 km north of Paraparaumu and about 4 km seaward of the coast
LOC
Tag(s)
Airframe Structural Failure,
Environmental Factors,
Extreme Bank
WX
Tag(s)
In Flight Airframe Icing
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Hull loss
Non-aircraft damage
Yes
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Fatalities
Most or all occupants
Off Airport Landing
Yes
Ditching
Yes
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Aircraft Airworthiness
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 3 October 2003, a Convair 580 on a scheduled night freight flight from Christchurch to Palmerston North, was observed on radar to enter a tightening left turn and disappear while descending through an area of severe icing. The aircraft impacted the sea vertically and at high speed.
Abstract
The following is the abstract from the official Transport Accident Investigation Commission (NZ):
"On Friday 3 October 2003 at 2126, Convair 580 ZK-KFU was on a scheduled night freight flight from Christchurch to Palmerston North, when it was observed on radar to enter a tightening left turn and disappear. Attempts to contact the aircraft were unsuccessful and a search for the aircraft was started. The aircraft had impacted the sea about 10 km north of Paraparaumu about vertically and at high speed. The crew of 2 was killed on impact.
After crossing Cook Strait the aircraft probably became heavily iced up while descending through an area of severe icing, and stalled after flying level for a short time. The crew was unable to recover from the ensuing spiral dive and the aircraft broke up as it descended.
Safety issues identified included:
- the need for all pilots and operators to have a better understanding of aircraft icing
- the use of air reports to alert pilots to hazardous meteorological conditions
- the adequacy of aircraft, operator and CAA documentation to assist pilots encountering adverse weather conditions, particularly for IFR and night freight operators in icing conditions
- the adequacy of the installation, performance and capabilities of cockpit voice and flight data recorders
- the requirement for a suitable tracking device to be readily available to find underwater location beacons.
Related Articles
Further Reading
- The full TAIC Report No: 03-006: Convair 580, ZK-KFU, loss of control and in-flight break up, Kapiti Coast, 3 October 2003.
