Photo: RNZThe head of airshow Warbirds over Wanaka has been grilled about why two mobile platforms were on a grass strip that caused significant damage to a vintage plane. Pilot Arthur Dovey escaped unharmed, but a wing on his World War II Yak-3 aircraft was destroyed after hitting one of the cherry pickers during landing in 2018. At the High Court in Wellington today, Warbirds' general manager Ed Taylor said the platforms were put into position for a display which was to follow Dovey. He said they were put in place earlier than expected for a light sport aircraft (LSA) display because of timing. Warbirds over Wanaka celebrated 30 years in 2018 and was cancelled this year due to Covid-19, but will be back in 2022.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 09, 2020 03:56 UTC