Officer Charged in Relation to ANZAC Day Crash

Following an investigation into events surrounding the tragic Iroquois crash at Pukerua Bay on Anzac Day 2010, an RNZAF officer has been charged with committing a Service offence under the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971.

The formation leader has been charged with negligently failing to perform a duty contrary to section 73(1) of the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971. The charge does not allege that the accident was directly caused by this omission.

The charge specifies that whilst in command of a formation in the vicinity of Paraparaumu, the officer negligently failed to abort the mission of the formation, when the weather conditions deteriorated below the required minimum levels, which was his duty as formation leader.

A formal investigation under the Armed Forces Discipline Act 1971 is scheduled to take place on 4 April 2013.

No further information on this case will be released at this stage.

ENDS