Elite Air Team Grounded

The air force's elite aerobatics team, the Red Checkers, has been grounded for the season after two planes touched during training this morning.

It follows the grounding of the squadron in January after Squadron Leader Nick Cree, 32, was killed in January 14 when his CT-4E Airtrainer crashed in a sand dune at Santoft, west of Bulls in Manawatu, as he practised an aerobatic manoeuvre with five other planes.

No one was hurt in today's incident, in which one aircraft was damaged, but managed to land safely at about 9.30am.

Group Captain Stephen Davies Howard, Commander of the RNZAF Training Group apologised to those looking forward to seeing the squad fly this year.

''The Red Checkers fly in close proximity to each other and this morning two of them touched. There are always risks involved in military aviation and we mitigate those risks as best we are able. How this incident happened is now being investigated as a matter of course and the prudent decision is not to fly the team again this season,'' he said.

He thanked the public for their support following the death of Mr Cree.

The Red Checkers were formed in 1969. They fly five CT 4E Air Trainer aircraft, which are also used by the flying school, and they perform regularly for the public over the summer months

News item here

If I were to be honest, albeit a little harsh - When I saw them perform at Taupo last year (November) it was apparently their first show for the season, and I have to say they were looking a bit shabby compared to the high standard of precision flying you normally see.

Such a sad story

A New Zealand Air Force Court of Inquiry has released its findings on the fatal crash involving Squadron Leader Nick Cree.
It is, frankly, rather shocking.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5805335/Da...to-pilots-death

Yes, not good reading ....very sad that it ended that way. Glad to see they rejected using the aircraft remains for training......as if that would ever have been an option with a fatal...you would hope.

PS: I meet Nick a couple of times, and theres no way he was a cowboy.....100% the pro.

A case off pushing the limits to far with out knowledge ? .. I was always taken by the know that all procedure , event was practiced and practiced till the pilot was able to teach .. not test pilot material then , to much confidence ?

I don't think there was ever a suggestion to use the remains for training.

There was, but the Officer in charge of the court rejected it....read it on an MSN report this afternoon....but as usual, its old news now, and i cant find it now....more interest in what was in Jackos stomach.......as if i give a flying f***

It was more likely poor reporting. For one thing the aircraft are not owned by the RNZAF and there was not really enough left after the fire to be usable.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article....jectid=10760026

Thanks ZK, didnt mean to get grumpy......

Who owns the aircraft? Seems a bit odd the Air Force not owning their own?

They're owned by the manufacturer.

That is ridiculous.

Not at all - its a turn-key solution. The aircraft are leased and the RNZAF does not have to worry about maintenance or support.

...and is more likely to become the operational model of western airforces.
An example is Air Tanker, who have started working up their A330 fleet at RAF Brize Norton in the UK.
This will provide transport and aerial refuelling services to the RAF over a 24-year Contract.