Crash of a Fairey IIIF off Waitara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1942 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairey III
Operator:
Registration:
NZ617
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
New Plymouth - New Plymouth
Location:
Waitara
Taranaki Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew left New Plymouth Airport at 1530LT to perform a drogue towing exercise in the north area of New Zealand. In unknown circumstances, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. A dead body was found 10 days later. Unfortunately, no trace of the second occupant was ever found.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt Peter Albert Morey,
LAC Thomas Patrick Davies.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II in Waitara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Airspeed AS.10 Oxford
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1238
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ohakea - Ohakea
MSN:
2659
YOM:
1940
Location:
Waitara
Taranaki Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Ohakea AFB on a navigation training exercise. While cruising over the area of Waitara and completing a turn, the crew lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed on the slope of a hill, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Crew (3rd ATS):
F/Lt Harold Wiles,
LAC Norman Wilson.
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