25 July 2025 – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) welcomes the sentencing of a man who was fined $14,475 for multiple serious breaches of aviation safety rules, including flying without a pilot licence, flying an aircraft without a certificate of airworthiness, and operating in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.
The defendant was on his own piloting the amateur-built Jodel D.11 aircraft when it took off from Feilding Aerodrome on 23 March 2024 and crash landed in a field approximately 1 kilometre south of the Marton township. The aircraft, which he had been rebuilding since it was involved in an earlier crash, was damaged beyond repair in the crash and the defendant sustained serious injuries.
The investigation found the defendant had operated the aircraft on several occasions despite not holding a pilot licence, and while the aircraft was not certified as airworthy. This undermines the safety and integrity of the aviation system, and breaches New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Rules.
“This case is a stark reminder that aviation safety rules exist for a reason — to protect people in the air and on the ground,” said CAA Deputy Chief Executive, Dean Winter.
“The ‘pilot’ made a series of reckless choices that could have had significant consequences for other people, in addition to the serious injuries he suffered.”
The Court considered the seriousness of the offending and the potential for harm when imposing the fine, noting the danger the public under the aircraft flightpath, emergency services personnel attending the crash site, and other airspace users – in addition to the pilot himself.
“Flying without proper qualifications or approvals is not just a paperwork issue — it’s a safety issue,” Winter said.
“Proper training, aircraft maintenance, licensing and certification are fundamental to ensuring safe skies. When individuals choose to ignore those responsibilities, they put lives at risk, as the defendant did in this case when he flew across State Highways, numerous farms and occupied houses.”
The CAA will continue to investigate and take action appropriate against serious breaches of aviation law where safety is compromised.
“People should have confidence that those operating aircraft in New Zealand are qualified and compliant, prioritising safety above all else,” Winter said.
Details of charges
The defendant was sentenced in the Marton District court on 16 July 2025 for the following charges:
Under Section 46 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990:
- Operating aircraft without necessary aviation document (PPL-A)
- Operating aircraft without necessary aviation document (COA)
Under Section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990:
- Operating aircraft in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.
