Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 26 May 2021
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Inferno destroys local man’s plane Jenny Nicholson Reporter
jenny@waimeaweekly.co.nz
The owner of a light aircraft was left utterly heartbroken last week after his 60-year-old plane was completely destroyed by a fire at Malibu Park airfield in Teapot Valley, Wakefield. Jason Deer, who had owned the Cessna 185 since 2015, says, “It’s devastating. I’ve had condolence messages from all over the country this week.” The plane was in the hanger for routine maintenance when it caught fire and was quickly engulfed by flames. Jason was nearby and his first reaction was to push the plane outside to save the hanger and another plane. After calling 111, he joined others trying to put the inferno out, but by the time the fire brigade arrived, all that was left burning was the tyre. “You can tell it was an airplane once, but it was destroyed beyond rebuilding,” says Jason. Sixty years of aviation history was also lost in the fire as the Cessna, ZK-CAK, was the first of its kind brought into New Zealand back in 1961, and the 17th built worldwide. “She just had her 60th birthday last week,” says Jason. “She was my pride and joy. One brief moment in time and she’s all gone.” Her initial use was carrying
newspapers and passengers from Nelson to the West Coast. In the early 80s, CAK was registered as an air ambulance and later was used for parachute operations. After use for aerial spraying, she
passed back into private ownership. Jason has enjoyed many hours flying over mountains and into the back country. He says 185s are a handful, but very satisfying
to fly. “She was a grand ol’ lady, the other woman in my life,” he says. “At the beginning of the day last week, there was no way I could ever have imagined what has now
happened to her.” Over the years his plane has been the one constant thing in his life that he wouldn’t sell. Jason says
see pAge 2
Jason Deer with previous owner Robin Langslow, and Ben Carmine, who taught Jason to fly, on the day he took ownership of CAK. Photo: Supplied.
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