Transavia PL 12U Airtruk ZK-DMZ Rises Again

It has been reported on the Skyfarmers Facebook page that Don Hart flew his Tansavia PL 12U Airtruk ZK-DMZ at Wanaka on 29/12/25, marking its first flight since 1992!  I reckon that makes it the only flying Airtruk in New Zealand and possibly in the world.

ZK-DMZ c/n G356) is a utility model Airtruk but in New Zealand it was used on agricultural work.  It has had a long and eventful life here and was sadly involved in a fatal accident.  It was imported into New Zealand by Transfield (NZ) Ltd of Ardmore and was first registered on 12 October 1973.

It was delivered to Barr Bros (HB) Ltd on 17/11/73 and is photo'd above at Waipukurau on 29/12/73.  Tragically on 6/5/74 it suffered a nosewheel collapse on take off at Pukenui Station in Hawkes Bay and nosed over, trapping the pilot who could not be rescued in time and died.  It was an unusual accident at relatively low speed so the aircraft was not very badly damaged

It was rebuilt by Barr Bros at Ardmore being test flown again in October 1974, and was re-delivered to Barr Bros (HB) Ltd on 10/10/74.  It is photo's above again at Waipukurau on 23/10/77.  Ownership transferred to Barr Aircraft Equipment Ltd of Waipukurau on 28/5/75.

Another shot of it at Waipukurau in a new scheme, date unknown.  It went on to have several more accidents in the Hawkes Bay region, on 1/12 /75 at Omakere and at Moutere Station on 18/3/77.  Its last flight with Barr's was on 27/7/81.

Ownership then transferred to Don Hart trading as Skyfarmers at Ashburton on 7/3/89 and he operated it until it was cancelled on 15/5/97.  It is photo'd at Waimate on 28/2/93.

It was then displayed in the Ashburton Aviation Museum for many years before being re-registered to Don L Hart now of Wanaka on 15/3/23.

Don Hart had the Airtruk worked on at Wanaka planning to return it to airworthy status and it was displayed as a static exhibit at Warbirds Over Wanaka on 29/3/24.  

Congratulations to Don Hart for returning a very distinctive shape to New Zealand skies.