Region
Oceania

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

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1940 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Airspeed AS.10 Oxford
Operator:
Registration:
NZ279
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
501
YOM:
1940
Location:
Akaroa
Canterbury Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
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:
Simmonds Spartan
Operator:
W. R. Willmott
Registration:
ZK-ABN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
42
YOM:
1929
Location:
Pleasant Point
Canterbury Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
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 De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Masterton

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1939
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Masterton - Masterton
MSN:
1448
YOM:
1930
Location:
Masterton
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Masterton-Hood Airport, the single engine aircraft was too low and hit a fence before nosing to the ground. While the aircraft was destroyed, both occupants were injured.
Crew:
Frederick J. McDonald, instructor,
John Morrison, student pilot.
Probable cause:
Too low approach.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Auckland

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1939
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ADG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Auckland - Auckland
MSN:
894
YOM:
1929
Location:
Auckland
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight out from Auckland Airport. On final approach, while completing a last turn, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Lockheed 10A Electra in Auckland: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AFC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Auckland – Palmerston North
MSN:
1092
YOM:
1936
Location:
Auckland
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Auckland-Mangere Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, impacted trees and crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed and the aircraft named 'Kotare' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Crew:
C. M. Duthie, pilot,
W. J. Peel, copilot.
Probable cause:
Engine failure shortly after rotation.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Mangere

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AAT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Auckland - Auckland
MSN:
1132
YOM:
1930
Location:
Auckland
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At a height of 400 feet, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Mangere, north of Auckland Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Whataroa

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
M. E. Spiers
Registration:
ZK-AAD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
927
YOM:
1929
Location:
Whataroa
West Coast Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Wellington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wellington – Palmerston North
MSN:
806
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb at a height of some 200 feet, the crew initiated a left turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed on the Golf course of Miramar, near the airport. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was slightly injured. The plane was wrecked and caught fire. The pilot, Mr. W. Smillie (20) was helped from the wreckage by golf club members, only lightly injured and suffering from severe shock. The front seat occupant, Mr. R.L. Elliot (22), however had sustained severe injuries from which he later died in Wellington Hospital.
Probable cause:
A Board of Inquiry set up to investigate the accident found William Smillie guilty of 'culpable carelessness and neglect' and recommended to the Minister in Charge of the Air Dept that his 'A' licence be suspended for 3 months. The Board also disallowed the witness travelling expenses due to Mr. Smillie for attending the Inquiry and ordered that he pay the sum of 10 Pounds towards the Board's costs and expenses.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I off Wellington

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Supermarine Walrus
Operator:
Registration:
K8541
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing in the harbor of Wellington, the float plane overturned and came to rest upside down. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to retract the landing gear prior to land on water.

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

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ACI
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Taeri - Taeri
MSN:
1564
YOM:
1930
Location:
Mosgiel
Otago Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Taeri on a solo flight. While completing aerobatics, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a pasture. The pilot Errol Warrington Colvin was killed.
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