Air Travel | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While approaching the Mt Saddle at low height, the twin engine aircraft was caught by updraft and gained altitude. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled and dove into a wooded area located on the Mt Hope, in the Kahurangi National Park. Four passengers and the pilot Colin G. Lewis were rescued while two others occupants including Bert Mercer, founder of this operator, were killed. The other passenger killed was also an employee of Air Travel.

Probable cause:

Loss of control caused by updraft.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.90A Dragonfly off Westport: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1942 at 0950 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

Operator:

Registration:

ZK-AGP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hokitika – Greymouth – Westport – Nelson

MSN:

7566

YOM:

1937

Location:

Westport

West Coast Regional Council

Country:

New Zealand

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Westport Airport at 0929LT on the last leg to Nelson. While climbing to an altitude of 4,000 feet, the starboard engine suffered serious vibrations then the right propeller detached. The pilot increased power on the left engine and attempted to return to Westport. Shortly later, the airplane stalled and crashed into the sea 7 km offshore. All four passengers drowned while the pilot was rescued. In March 1943, the propeller was found on a beach in Westport.
Crew:
Arthur C. Baines, pilot.
Passengers:
Albert Johnson,
Albert Winters,
Michael Hearty,
Geoffrey McBride.

Probable cause:

Examination of the propeller blades showed that the attachment bolts may not have been tightened correctly and had become loose in flight, causing the propeller to separate from the engine.