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Canterbury Regional Council

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at Wigram AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1941 at 0310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ256
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
455
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a solo training mission at Wigram AFB and was supposed to complete several touch & go manoeuvres. Following a circuit in the vicinity of the airfield, he landed briefly and then increased the engine power for a new takeoff procedure. While in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed 3 km from the airbase, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
LAC Allan Henry McIver, pilot.

Crash of a Fairey IIIF at Wigram AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1940 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ632
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
F.1134
YOM:
1928
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Wigram AFB, while on a local training flight, the crew completed a sharp turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
LAC Basil Rawdon Hastings Sharp,
LAC Leslie Wright.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I near Christchurch: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1940 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
481
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight and departed Wigram AFB in the early morning. While flying in the Kaituna Valley, some 20 km south of Christchurch, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. The twin engine aircraft impacted a mountain slope and was destroyed. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (1st SFTS):
P/O William Krogh,
LAC Archibald Hull,
LAC Herbert von Tunzelman,
AC1 Albert Duffell.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Akaroa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1940 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ279
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
501
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
182
Captain / Total hours on type:
38.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight and departed RNZAF Wigram in the morning. After completing an artillery exercise in Birdlings Flat, the crew continued his route to Akaroa. The pilot made a low pass over the main street followed by a steep turn during which the aircraft stalled and crashed near houses, bursting into flames. Both crew were killed while two people on the ground were seriously injured.
Crew:
P/O F. M. McFarlane, pilot,
LAC J. L. McFadyen.

Crash of a Simmonds Spartan in Pleasant Point

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
42
YOM:
1929
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing on a private area, the single engine aircraft was caught by gusty winds. The right wing hit telephone wires and the aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest upside down. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Simmonds Spartan in Staveley

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZK-AAY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4
YOM:
1929
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Staveley, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. It broke in two and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Both occupants were slightly injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth off Waipara: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1935 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABQ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sockburn – Wellington
MSN:
1806
YOM:
1930
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Sockburn Aerodrome on a Saturday morning in an intended flight to Wellington. The foggy flying conditions encountered caused the pilot to land at Blenheim to await an improvement in the weather but when, after waiting for the rest of the morning, no improvement looked likely the decision was made to return to Christchurch. The pilot was hugging the coastline in bad visibility and at a low height about seven miles (12 kilometres) north of the Waipara River mouth when he took evasive action as a cliff appeared ahead. In doing so he lost control of the aircraft and it dived into the sea about 250 yards from the rocky coastline. On impact the Moth nosed over and began to sink upside down. The passenger, Cecil Haigh, was able to vacate his cockpit and help the pilot, Richard Roake, out of his. Using the aircraft's tires that been had torn off in the crash as life-buoys, they were able after a struggle to reach the shore. Unfortunately Mr Roake had hit his head on a rock before getting ashore and could proceed no further. Mr Haigh then set off alone in a harrowing trek along the steep and wild coastline to get help. At about 7 p.m., around 5 hours after the crash, Cecil Haigh came to the the homestead of Glenaffric Station, where despite his exhaustion he insisted on accompanying the rescue party that was quickly assembled. The searchers were unable to locate Mr. Roake that night, but in the morning he was found dead. The medical opinion was that he had died as the result of his head injuries.
Crew:
Richard Roake, pilot. †
Passenger:
Cecil Haigh.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Saint Andrews: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ACE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dunedin - Wellington
MSN:
1561
YOM:
1930
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Dunedin to Wellington, the pilot encountered thick fog and drizzle. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a field located in Saint Andrews, 10 miles south of Timaru, coming to rest upside down. The pilot F. C. Taylor was injured while the passenger Howard Bailey was killed. He was on his way to Wellington to take part to a Grand Lodge communication.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Waikari

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1928
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-NZAU
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
591
YOM:
1928
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Waikari, north of Christchurch. The pilot and owner K. W. J. Hall was unhurt.

Crash of an Avro 504K at Wigram AFB

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1924
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-NZAG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
YOM:
1922
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Wigram AFB. There were no casualties.