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.61 Giant Moth in Mubo

Date & Time: May 9, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Stephens Aviation
Registration:
VH-UJB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wau – Salamaua
MSN:
334
YOM:
1929
Location:
Salamaua
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Mubo while approaching Salamaua. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all nine occupants were unhurt.

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

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UPU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
545
YOM:
1928
Location:
Ballarat
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
2800
Circumstances:
While overflying the city of Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft collide with a fence and crashed. Both occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The engine failure was caused by the presence of water in the carburetor.

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 Moth in Somerton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UNU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
1444
YOM:
1930
Location:
Somerton
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a local solo training flight out from Melbourne-Essendon Airport. While making sharp turns exercises, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Somerton, 10 km northeast of Essendon Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Surprise Creek

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UQS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Surprise Creek – Port Moresby
MSN:
4019
YOM:
1932
Location:
Surprise Creek (Wai Ungu)
Western (Fly)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a prairie, bursting into flames. The pilot E. W. Ditton was injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

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.89 Dragon Rapide in Laverton

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
A3-2
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Laverton - Laverton
MSN:
6314
YOM:
1935
Location:
Laverton AFB (Melbourne)
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (two student pilots and one instructor) were conducting a local training mission out from RAAF Laverton in Melbourne. On final approach, while completing a last turn at low height to join the runway, the aircraft impacted the ground with one of its wing, cartwheeled and crashed. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
F/O D. McLean, pilot,
A.C. McLean, wireless operator,
LAC G. A. Everingham.
Probable cause:
Insufficient altitude during the last turn on approach.

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 De Havilland DH.50A in Cairns

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.50
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UFA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1
YOM:
1929
Location:
Cairns
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reasons upon landing at Cairns Airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.
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