The Civil Aviation Authority says a fatal microlight crash in Southland highlights why pilots must comply with the rules and carefully manage the risks.
File image of a microlight. Photo: Supplied
The authority has released its report into the crash that found the pilot crashed the microlight into Taringatura Hills after entering fog while flying too low back in 2018.
The wreckage was found about 13km from where the pilot was meant to be meeting other microlight enthusiasts for a group flight to Stewart Island after originally setting out from Alexandra.
The report found risks associated with flying visually instead of using instruments when weather deteriorated needed to be carefully managed.
The authority's aviation safety deputy chief executive, Dean Winter, said the safety of the aviation system relied on participants following the rules.
"If they fly 'visually', or VFR, rather than on instruments, those rules include flying no lower than 500 feet above ground level, and not flying in poor weather," he said.
The report did not conclusively say why the pilot chose to continue into poor weather below 500 feet, instead saying there were a number of factors that could have compelled the pilot to press on.
Winter said it was a timely reminder of the importance of thorough pre-flight planning.
"It's standard aviation procedure to check weather conditions at the destination and en-route, and also to plan the flight so the pilot can get there safely."