New Zealand Pilot Dies in Cessna Crash

Twenty-eight-year-old New Plymouth man Ben Gaastra was the pilot in command and sole occupant of a Cessna 152 aircraft which crashed en route from Auckland to New Plymouth on Tuesday 21 July.

The aircraft collided with a steep bush-clad hillside in rugged terrain about 41 kilometres south-west of Te Kuiti. A search commenced at about 7.30 p.m. after an emergency locator beacon signal was detected by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), but it was hampered by darkness, dense bush and poor weather.

Shortly before 10.00 a.m. the following day, the crashed aircraft was located by one of two RNZAF helicopters engaged in the search operation, which also included a civil helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. A rescue team including police and alpine rescue personnel was winched into the site, approximately two kilometres from the nearest road, and located Mr Gaastra’s body close to the wreckage. The body has been winched from the site and the death referred to the coroner.

It appears that Mr. Gaastra died immediately in the crash, which is now being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority. Mr Gaastra was a Massey School of Aviation trained multi-engine, instrument rated CPL and the Cessna 152 was one of New Plymouth Aero Club’s training fleet.