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A Red Checkers plane enroute to Tauranga for the Classics of the Sky Airshow will not being flying this weekend, after it was forced to land due to mechanical problems on Friday.
A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson confirmed that the lead Airtrainer that made a forced landing near Waiouru, sustained moderate damage.
The Red Checkers have been grounded as a precaution. Photo: NZDF.
The aircraft was flying from Ohakea Air Base in the Manawatu to Tauranga, when it experienced mechanical trouble in flight.
The pilot, whose identity is not being released, made a decision to undertake a forced landing, bringing the Airtrainer down on undulating ground, approximately 12km south of Rangipo, near Waiouru.
The NZDF spokesperson says on touching down, the Airtrainer overturned.
The pilot was uninjured and the site of the landing was secured.
An investigation into the incident in underway and the remaining Airtrainers all landed safely.
As a precaution the Red Checkers will not be flying this weekend, including the Tauranga Air Show and Auckland Anniversary on Monday.
Posted on 30-01-2012 11:11 | By justice
Garret, all precautions need to be taken it’s not a dis-trust issue at all! What if it was a fault with the fuel? they all filled up from the same dispenser before leaving for Tga! Have a wee think before pushing keys.