In brief
A light aircraft crashed near Nelson, killing two people. The Cessna Skyhawk vanished after a rapid descent from 3,100 to 1,800 feet, and investigators cite mountainous terrain as a contributing factor. The cause of the uncontrolled drop remains unconfirmed.
Two people died when a light aircraft crashed in a remote area near Nelson on New Zealand’s South Island, authorities said on Tuesday. The privately owned Cessna Skyhawk left Nelson Airport at about 9:10 a.m. local time and was reported overdue shortly before midday, Radio New Zealand reported.
Rescue helicopters had been searching near its last‑known location northeast of the city, according to Radio New Zealand. The aircraft was found south of Castor Peak in a remote search area on Tuesday evening, Nelson Area Commander Steven Collins said.
FlightRadar24 data showed the plane reached an altitude of 3,100 feet, then dropped to 1,800 feet in 49 seconds before disappearing from radar near the Bryant Range, about 35 km northeast of Nelson, the data confirmed the flight path changes.
Experts said the mountainous and rugged terrain, with numerous similar‑looking valleys, could make flying difficult, particularly when flying below cloud cover, local media Stuff reported.
No official investigation has yet determined the precise cause of the uncontrolled descent or the loss of radar contact after the rapid altitude change. The circumstances of the crash remain unconfirmed by authorities.