Pilot sues over air show crash

A pilot suing Warbirds Over Wanaka for damages to his vintage plane expects his experience will put others off being involved with the air show.

Arthur Dovey was landing his Yak-3 during the opening sequence of the show at Easter 2018 when it clipped a cherry picker on the runway, seriously damaging the right wing.

His most recent repair quote is for more than $600,000.

He has lodged a writ with the High Court in Wellington to recover the costs from Warbirds over Wanaka Airshows Ltd, which is owned by the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust.

Trust general manager Ed Taylor said it disputed the claim and would be defending the action in court.

The organisation has until January 25 to file its defence.

The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is a biennial show, which attracts about 100,000 people over three days.

Dover said a large number of people were surprised he had taken the action.

‘‘I suspect some of the aircraft operators will be wondering whether it’s worth taking their aircraft to Warbirds next year.’’

Dover – a pilot of 52 years and a former chief standards captain with Air New Zealand – was ‘‘pissed off’’ at the crash.

He said when he and other pilots were briefed in the morning before the flight they were told the runway was clear for landing, with no obstructions.

The cherry picker could not be seen as he landed because the plan’s 4m nose restricted his peripheral vision.

‘‘I didn’t know it was there and I didn’t know what I hit,’’ Dover said. ‘‘I got out of the aircraft and thought ‘what the hell is that doing there?’ ’’

He did not carry personal insurance on the aircraft due to the high cost and because he was prepared to take responsibility for any crash he caused.

Dover had never had a crash before and was the only person who flew the aircraft, which is valued at more than $1 million.

‘‘I would have thought Warbirds Over Wanaka would have been interested in resolving this issue but they’ve been totally unhelpful and the insurer has chosen not to respond.’’

The Civil Aviation Authority is also investigating the crash.

‘‘I got out of the aircraft and thought ‘what the hell is that doing there?’ ’’ Arthur Dovey