Friends of dead pilot take to skies
By CASSANDRA POKONEY and TRISH McKENZIE - The Southland Times | Saturday, 22 March 2008
Ten twin-seater planes flew over parts of Northern Southland yesterday in honour of a man who died after a microlight crash near Riversdale on Thursday.
Fifty-year-old Christchurch resident Noel David Vallance, described as an excellent pilot and friend, died after the microlight he was flying plummeted to the ground while performing a manoeuvre.
An instructor and flying enthusiast who in 2003 set a New Zealand altitude record for weight-shift microlights by flying to 6313m, Mr Vallance was in Southland for a scheduled biennial fly-in attended by about 18 pilots.
Senior Constable Jacob Schriek, of Riversdale, said the small plane crashed on the property of Bob and Christine Oliver at 2.40pm. Mr Vallance had been in a friend's microlight, performing turns.
"The plane got into a stall situation and fell to the ground," he said.
The microlight had to be moved away from Mr Vallance as he lay on the ground because fuel was leaking from a line.
Ambulance officers and firefighters from Riversdale and Gore attended the crash and a paramedic was flown in by helicopter.
Mr Vallance was still talking about 3pm after emergency services arrived. However, his condition deteriorated rapidly and CPR was administered but he died at the scene, police said.
It was unknown how high the plane had been when it stalled.
The crash has been referred to the coroner, and the Civil Aviation Authority had also started an investigation, Mr Schriek said.
"Whatever happened up there is a bit of a mystery." Mr Vallance's death has shocked the close-knit flying group.
Mr Oliver, a fellow pilot, said Mr Vallance was a highly experienced pilot and a good friend.
"He has left behind a lot of flying friends," he said.
Watching his friend's aircraft fall from the sky had been extremely difficult, but there had been nothing anyone could do to help, he said.
"Once it stalls, and it's an unusual attitude, you're not going to get any help," he said.
He estimated Mr Vallance had been at about 245m when the plane stalled. Unsure of what else to do, the group had taken to the skies yesterday in honour of their friend, Mr Oliver said.
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