Investigation into fatal Timaru microlight crash further delayed

The investigation into a microlight crash that killed two South Canterbury men is yet to be completed, more than two and a half years after the incident occurred.

Timaru police officer Senior Sergeant Randel Tikitiki, 51, and South Canterbury Microlight club instructor Jack Mehlhopt, 86, were killed when their microlight crashed in a paddock near Timaru in January 2015.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigation into the crash was delayed for a second time earlier this year, with a spokeswoman confirming the report should have been com- pleted by May.

That timeframe was not met, and it remains unclear when the report will be released. An email obtained in June 2016 showed the CAA expected to have completed its report by then.

However, there had been a significant delay in the investigation because the lead investigator resigned. CAA manager communications and safety promotion Mike Richards said last week the completion of the investigation was a ‘‘matter of priority’’, but was ‘‘unable to give a firm date for its completion’’.

‘‘The CAA is aware that there is a great deal of interest in this matter both from the media and interested parties.

‘‘As an assurance, I can advise that it was established at an early stage of the investigation that there were no immediate safety issues to address.’’ As well as the resignation of the lead investigator, further delays were caused by four safety investigator positions being vacant for ‘‘an extended period’’.

There had also been a significant delay in receiving infor- mation from an external party, and that information had only been recently received, he said.

‘‘Investigations of accidents are inherently complex, the man – machine – environment interfaces all have to be considered. Aspects of this investigation are particularly complex and require significant consideration and analysis.’’

The original delay sparked criticism over CAA funding, with Labour Transport spokeswoman Sue Moroney saying she had ‘‘concerns about how little government funding goes into the CAA compared to other organisations doing similar work’’.

The CAA disputed that, saying it was adequately funded.