britboynz 0 #1 April 13, 2005 She's obviously never flown on a plane that doesn't even *have* a door lol http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3247310a10,00.html PM feared for her life 13 April 2005 Prime Minister Helen Clark said she wondered whether she would "live or die" as her light plane made an emergency descent to Paraparaumu Airport this morning. Turbulence over the Kapiti Coast dislodged the front door of the chartered Piper Aztec, causing it to plunge rapidly. Miss Clark was reading her papers on the journey from Rotorua to Wellington when turbulence struck without warning. Her seat belt restrained her but she was still lifted out of her seat and slammed back, with her left elbow taking most of the impact. A precautionary x-ray was done at Kapiti Medical Centre, where it was found the arm was sore but not broken. As the door dislodged and began to open two police officers travelling with her grabbed hold of it, Miss Clark told National Radio. They could not haul the door shut, so they held on to it through the emergency landing at Paraparumu, 52km northeast of Wellington. "When the plane plunges like that, it's obviously quite shocking," Miss Clark said. "When you see the door can't close you know that it is a serious incident. I had full confidence in the way the pilot handled the matter and in the strength of the New Zealand police who did their utmost to hold it (the door)". The aircraft made a distress call soon before landing at 9.09am, Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) spokeswoman Heidi Brook said. Police, fire services, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) had been alerted, she said. Mountain Air managing director Keith McKenzie confirmed Miss Clark was on a company Piper Aztec on a flight from Rotorua to Wellington this morning. "All we are aware of is that our company was conducting a charter flight around 8.30am and just prior to descending to Wellington there was some turbulence and the front passenger door popped open," he told NZPA. As a precaution the pilot declared an emergency and diverted to the nearest airport, he said. Miss Clark, who had been in Rotorua last night speaking to the Grey Power annual conference, felt today's incident capped a torrid week for her. Yesterday she had to sort out maverick MP John Tamihere at a caucus meeting, lashing him for "trashing" friends and colleagues in a magazine interview. She confessed to having had "a full week", one of those "where if anything can go wrong it will". Press secretary Kathryn Street was with Miss Clark and the two police officers on the six-seater plane. The pilot was unable to communicate with the passengers as there was no intercom, Miss Clark said. Everyone involved in the incident was "shaken" but the police officers "performed superbly", she said. Miss Clark would not comment on whether the door had been closed properly before take-off, saying that the investigation would look at that question. A spokesman from her office told NZPA she was flung about in the bad turbulence that caused the door to open. Miss Clark was shaken and shocked by the incident, he said. The plane was chartered to get Miss Clark back to Wellington from the Grey Power conference for cabinet meetings. Mr McKenzie said the aircraft landed safely. "We are conducting an investigation to ascertain what caused the problem. Emergency was declared as precaution and we are now obviously analysing what has created this problem." The Piper Aztec is capable of a cruising speed of 150 knots (278kmh). Paraparaumu Airport is primarily used for civil aviation test flights, as a base for two flying schools, and scenic flying. It is used as a diversion airport for some aircraft unable to land at Wellington international airport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #2 April 13, 2005 just the media making a story of it! she's no pussy she's climbed aoraki(mt cook) before have you? and if you were in a plane with turbulance and you rig was not with you you would probably peak as well. i think she would be a good skydiver. she's a damn good P.M."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccurley 1 #3 April 13, 2005 Saw it on the news last night and must admit my perspective may be a bit Slanted But I thought what the f##k I been on lotsof plans wer the door opened and nobody panicked!!!!Watch my video Fat Women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWkEky8GoI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
highfly 0 #4 April 13, 2005 He he. Just reading that one Russ in the papers. It was so funny eh? On the Herald " Clark: Would we live or die?" lmfao www.myspace.com/durtymac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
