AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Nine people died when a small plane crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport and erupted into flames.
Local residents were reported by Television New Zealand as saying that the Fletcher fixed-wing plane was about to go on a sky diving flight.
Fox Glacier, one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions, is situated in the Southern Alps on the West Coast of the South Island and comprises mainly motels, hotels and restaurants.
The dead included four overseas tourists, the pilot and four other male passengers.
Tourism West Coast manager Matt Ewen said it didn’t resemble anything they had ever seen in the area before.
“I know the owners, he told One News. They are very nice people and this is a tragedy for them. Fox only has about 200 people in the community and it is in shock.”
“The operators are very experienced and the company has a very good safety record.”
The crash occurred in fine weather at 1.30 p.m. There is very little information available on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The crash will be the subject of an investigation that will be carried out by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Both Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Stephen Joyce expressed sadness at the event and sent their regrets to the families and friends of the victims of the crash, reported TVNZ.
Local residents were reported by Television New Zealand as saying that the Fletcher fixed-wing plane was about to go on a sky diving flight.
Fox Glacier, one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions, is situated in the Southern Alps on the West Coast of the South Island and comprises mainly motels, hotels and restaurants.
The dead included four overseas tourists, the pilot and four other male passengers.
Tourism West Coast manager Matt Ewen said it didn’t resemble anything they had ever seen in the area before.
“I know the owners, he told One News. They are very nice people and this is a tragedy for them. Fox only has about 200 people in the community and it is in shock.”
“The operators are very experienced and the company has a very good safety record.”
The crash occurred in fine weather at 1.30 p.m. There is very little information available on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The crash will be the subject of an investigation that will be carried out by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Both Prime Minister John Key and Transport Minister Stephen Joyce expressed sadness at the event and sent their regrets to the families and friends of the victims of the crash, reported TVNZ.
