Warbird Pilot Sues Organisers

[hardyakka]

Now that the court decision is out, I hope it is ok to have a bit of discussion.

I have read the whole 159 page document and a few things are apparent.

1. Justice Mallon is very, very, very thorough.
2. There are a lot of assumptions I’ve made about airshow procedures that are “commonly accepted” which do not stand up in court. Everything must be clearly stated and preferably written down. Doesn’t matter who you are or how long you’ve being doing it.
3. Seeing how big a world of hurt in which you can end up, it is astounding that anyone would take on the job of running a major airshow. The fact that people do it voluntarily is worthy of our deepest respect.

Read the full decision here : Court Decision Document

[campbellbox]

Thanks for posting the link to the decision. You make a hell of a good point Hardyakka - an airshow is a massive undertaking with a huge number of potentially lethal moving parts. We're bloody lucky anyone takes the time to put them together.

[chbessexboy]

Mar 13, 2021 16:28:26 GMT 12 l29 said:

Well I know of 3 lining up to buy it as is so.....

Mar 13, 2021 15:03:34 GMT 12 chbessexboy said:

I'm just glad the intention is to repair it and retain ownership at this stage. It would be very hard to sell it in damaged condition and the crash be the last experience with it. I hope he can get some more pleasure out of it to help erase what must have been a terrible thing to go through - including the court case.

My meaning is that it would be hard on Arthur Dovey from an emotional point of view to sell it in damaged condition and not have the satisfaction of repairing and re-flying it.

[Deleted]

The decision certainly isn't a light read but it is worth going through to better understand the accident and overall situation.

[mcmaster]

Interesting judgement to read. The holes in the Swiss cheese lined up right from the change in display, briefing, runway inspection and tower comms issues. Odd someone suggested the Yak calling 3 greens to the tower was "antiquated", still very much a thing at least in military circles.

[aeromuzz]

An update:

www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127264899/air-force-pays-250000-in-legal-costs-after-warbirds-over-wnaka-vintage-plane-crash

[Deleted]

Thanks for the link, aeromuzz.

[aeromuzz]

The final word on this?

www.stuff.co.nz/national/130193677/warbirds-over-wnaka-staff-incredibly-stupid-at-time-of-vintage-plane-crash-pilot-says

Anyone in the market for a damaged Yak 3?

[chbessexboy]

Very pleased to learn that the Yak will be staying in NZ!

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, with Carl Jackson at Omaka, where it will be rebuilt.

[ErrolC]

Nov 29, 2022 19:01:15 GMT 12 chbessexboy said:

Very pleased to learn that the Yak will be staying in NZ!

www.facebook.com/ClassicWingsMagazine/photos/a.441600692547940/8388043667903563/

YAK-3 FINDS A NEW HOME!
Congratulations to Carl Jackson of Blenheim, New Zealand who has acquired this Yakovlev Yak-3, ZK-YYY that has been stored dismantled at Wanaka Airport, NZ, for the last few years. Carl and his team placed the aircraft into a shipping container late last week for the journey to Omaka, where it will undergo repairs to a damaged wing and other areas, and be recommissioned to return to service. Amazingly, of the five WW-II era Yak fighters/trainers presently resident in the Southern Hemisphere, ALL of them will be located at Omaka by the end of this week. Two are presently flying, two are under restoration/upgrade programmes, and then there's this one. On completion of all five, one, a very rare Yak-7B, will be based at Tauranga and the remaining four will fly from Omaka. All have been sold through our sister company, Classic Aircraft Sales Ltd and we are humbled to have had the privilege of handling these ever impressive and very attractive fighters!

[aeromuzz]

One down, 3 to go.
Let's hope that the Corsair, Mustang and Kittyhawk stay in NZ too.

[Dave Homewood]

And the Catalina!

[Deleted]

Excellent news!

[FlyingKiwi]

That's really good news, looking forward to seeing it back in the skies again.