26/OIR/064
26 September 2025
David Henderson
Tēnā koe David,
Emailed to: [FYI request #32162 email]
I refer to your official information request dated
29 August 2025 for the following:
“Please provide any information held on ARC 18/5317 which was reported as an aircraft flying close
to the ground below cloud near NZPP in 2018.”
CAA response
CAA is making the information available by way of summary under section 16(1)(3) of the Official
Information Act 1982.
The incident on 20 July 2018 under ARC 18/5317 was reported to the CAA with the below details –
Aircraft called the Flight Service at Otaki advising south-bound for Woodbourne. The pilot was
advised of local weather conditions including reduced visibility in showers and low cloud base. The
aircraft later was seen flying past the aerodrome. During this time the Meteorological display
indicated conditions were overcast cloud with base at 400ft. As the aircraft passed the airfield it
looked to be as low as 300 feet and may have descended lower. The pilot later called vacating the
MBZ and gave their position and altitude as Pukerua Bay at 400 feet. The time was noted as 0113
UTC (1313 NZST).
A Police Officer at Pukerua Bay reported a low flying southbound aircraft about the same time and
described it as being under low cloud, about 200 feet above the sea and in poor visibility. The Officer
identified the aircraft as possibly a Piper Warrior or Cherokee 140.
CAA conducted a safety investigation into the above incident, and an infringement notice was issued
as an appropriate regulatory response.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nga Mihi,
Resolutions Team | Rōpū Whakatau
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand |Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa |
PO Box 3555, Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 560 9400, Email: [email address], Web: www.caa.govt.nz
