Eric Hertz's plane in accident off Kawhia

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freitasm

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#115573 30-Mar-2013 18:47

I have just been told of a small plane accident in the North. The plane belongs to 2Degrees CEO Eric Hertz.

I've talked to a 2Degrees spokeswoman and she says more information is forthcoming but they can't confirm anything yet.

More information about the accident on NZ Herald.

From Stuff:

Auckland's Westpac rescue helicopter has been sent to the last known position of the aircraft and identified an oil slick and wreckage about 11 nautical miles (20km) north west of the entrance to Kawhia harbour, near Gannet Island.The aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Controller John Dickson said the aircraft radioed to report engine failure shortly before radar contact was lost.

"A helicopter from Phillips Search and Rescue in Hamilton is searching the area, along a fixed-wing Coastguard area, and a Raglan Coastguard vessel is also on scene and is picking up debris," he said. 'Unfortunately there has been no sign found of the people onboard."

The water in the area is about 60m deep.

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#789709 30-Mar-2013 19:04

I remember Eric Hertz once cut in front of me on the motorway on ramp... Still sucks for his friends/family if he died though :(

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nedkelly

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#789724 30-Mar-2013 19:59

Best wishes and regards to his family and work colleagues

Finch

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#789739 30-Mar-2013 20:54

Sad. Didn't know him or anything but will be a big loss to NZ

Batman

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#789740 30-Mar-2013 20:54

Wow ...

Greaver

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#789742 30-Mar-2013 20:56

Hope he and anyone else in the aircraft is ok

Lias

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#789744 30-Mar-2013 21:00

Greaver: Hope he and anyone else in the aircraft is ok

Plane went down lunchtime, no survivors found yet.. not a good sign.

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NonprayingMantis

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#789745 30-Mar-2013 21:04

Lias:
Greaver: Hope he and anyone else in the aircraft is ok

Plane went down lunchtime, no survivors found yet.. not a good sign.

Yeah. Virtually guaranteed that anybody in the plane will be dead.
Of course, just because he owned it doesn't necessarily mean he was in it. People often rent out their planes to other people.

The lack of comment from 2d suggests that he was in it, or possibly one of his family.

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DjShadow

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#789746 30-Mar-2013 21:05

Statement from 2degrees via their FB page:

Hi everyone, we can confirm that the plane involved in a crash near Kawhia this afternoon was owned by our CEO Eric Hertz.

Although we have limited information, we understand that Eric and his wife Kathy were on board and that they are unlikely to have survived.

Our focus now is to support Eric and Kathy’s daughter and provide assistance to their family.

We are deeply appreciative of the calls and messages we have had this afternoon, and when it’s possible to make a further statement we will do so.

Greaver

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#789751 30-Mar-2013 21:13

Lias:
Greaver: Hope he and anyone else in the aircraft is ok

Plane went down lunchtime, no survivors found yet.. not a good sign.

Not good at all

And whats the chances of finding you on here ah : D

NonprayingMantis

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#789752 30-Mar-2013 21:16

DjShadow: Statement from 2degrees via their FB page:

Hi everyone, we can confirm that the plane involved in a crash near Kawhia this afternoon was owned by our CEO Eric Hertz.

Although we have limited information, we understand that Eric and his wife Kathy were on board and that they are unlikely to have survived.

Our focus now is to support Eric and Kathy’s daughter and provide assistance to their family.

We are deeply appreciative of the calls and messages we have had this afternoon, and when it’s possible to make a further statement we will do so.

Very sad. Does he have kids?

Eta: just saw they have a daughter. Poor girl.

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#789758 30-Mar-2013 21:22

Very sad indeed :(

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#789763 30-Mar-2013 21:27

I wonder how much flying experience he had. Beginners don't fly twin engine planes, and his linkedin profile lists an "IFR pilot" skill. Pretty unusual also for a twin engined plane to crash due to engine failure. That tends to point to a fuel problem — also unusual near the start of a long flight when the tanks should be full. Impurities?

freitasm

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#789766 30-Mar-2013 22:04

Very sad. I've known Eric from before 2degrees, when he was involved in another venture with Microsoft.

tardtasticx

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#789768 30-Mar-2013 22:10

Remember chatting briefly at the Sylvia Park store opening, really nice guy. Be such a huge loss for NZ. Can't imagine what his family is going through.

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#789769 30-Mar-2013 22:13

Here is an article in NBR:

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/crashed-plane-owned-2degrees-boss-eric-hertz-report-ck-137916

This is very very sad news. I've met Eric, he is a great guy, he has led 2degrees to great success to date. This is devastating news.

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