New Zealand Crash Keeps US Air Charters on its Toes

Crash in New Zealand in Route to the US Keeps Air Charter Industry on its Toes

In Pacific Aerospace’s 45-year history, their charter planes have held consistent to delivering safe rides for each passenger.

Despite the death of Hamilton plane maker, pilot Kevin Stark, who was delivering Pacific’s new pride and joy, the PAC750XL to the US, Pacific Aerospace has been cleared of any negligence in the accident. Stark died in an ocean crash after he tried to land on the ocean surface; the accident report was filed by a rescue plane pilot who shadowed Stark just before his failed ocean landing attempt.

“It’s as though one of the fuel tanks ruptured,” said the rescue pilot of a jet charter. Prior to Stark’s pre-delivery flight to the US, the PAC750XL had been fitted with an extra internal tank, to enable the plane to remain airborne for the duration of the trip from New Zealand to the U.S.

Keep watch for Pacific Aerospace’s PAC750XL fuel system as final reports are made. Pacific’s response by managing director Brian Hare said, “Aviation commentators, prospective buyers, etc. had not linked the accident with the quality or safety of the aircraft.”

Since the accident, 18 jet planes have been successfully sold and another 260 are on the books. Hamilton has been very thorough in its research and has checked all possible causes and/or defects; they have been found not negligent in this tragedy.