Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar off Napier

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Airland
Registration:
ZK-CGV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
2051
YOM:
1940
Location:
Napier
Hawke's Bay 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:
While on approach to Napier-Hawke’s Bay Airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Napier harbor. The pilot was rescued by fishermen while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on approach after a flap control cable broke on the right wing, causing a flap to extend unexpectedly.

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Auckland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1970 at 0744 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BAY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cinematography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Mechanics Bay - Mechanics Bay
MSN:
1362
YOM:
1944
Location:
Auckland
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Pilot Roger Poole was taking a TV news crew of three to film a burning 8.5m launch near Browns Island. After circling the launch and landing nearby, the floatplane took off and circled to the right at low level. It straighten out as if to return to base at Mechanics Bay, but then banked steeply to the right, the turn becoming near vertical. The nose dropped and it crashed into the sea, killing all four aboard.
Probable cause:
The investigation found the float near the wingtip could obscure filming, but for a better camera angle the aircraft could be flown with the right rudder to skid around the nose, with opposite aileron to counteract any rolling effect. The pilots view to the right was obstructed by the camera operator, he was flying into the early morning sun, and the artificial horizon was switched off and locked, all of which prevented him realising the dangerous angle until too late.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK in Paraparaumu

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Government of New Zealand
Registration:
ZK-AXS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Paraparaumu - Paraparaumu
MSN:
15995/32743
YOM:
1945
Location:
Paraparaumu-Kapiti Coast
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:
During the takeoff roll at Paraparaumu Airport, the airplane deviated from the centerline to the right, causing the right main gear to be torn off while hitting the shoulder. The airplane went off runway and came to rest. Both pilots were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Captain's omission to abort the simulated takeoff in time. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- High ground speed,
- Overheated brakes.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Kainantu: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1970 at 0912 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
VH-TGR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mount Hagen – Goroka – Kainantu
MSN:
6
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
TN1369
Location:
Kainantu
Eastern Highlands
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
3905
Aircraft flight cycles:
6795
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Goroka at 0852LT and continued to Kainantu at an altitude of 7,500 feet. While approaching the destination, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was limited due to low clouds. The captain decided to continue and started the approach when the airplane struck a tree and crashed 5 km from the airfield. Both pilots and six passengers were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was that the pilot persisted with such determination or confidence in his attempts to reach his destination in the face of deteriorating weather conditions, that he did not ensure he could safely discontinue the approach at any time and still maintain visual reference to the significant terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon near Lindis Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1970
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1816
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Queenstown - Queenstown
MSN:
04399
YOM:
1953
Location:
Lindis Pass
Otago Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Queenstown Airport at 1320LT for a local training flight. En route, while flying a lot height, the airplane struck a hillside located in the region of Lindis Pass. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Fletcher FU-24 near Cowra: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1970 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fletcher FU-24
Operator:
Registration:
VH-EOB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cowra - Cowra
MSN:
45
YOM:
1957
Location:
Cowra
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2844
Captain / Total hours on type:
88.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was spreading superphosphate in undulating country to the south of the Wyangala Dam. The section being treated was approximately one mile distant from the strip. The pilot had completed three sorties since commencing operations on the morning of the accident. After the fourth load had been spread, the aircraft was heard returning to the strip when the engine noise suddenly ceased and simultaneously a loud thud was heard by two loader drivers at the strip. The aircraft had crashed in the spreading area, striking the ground in a very steep nose down attitude. There were no witnesses to the flight path of the aircraft immediately prior to the impact and examination of the wreckage did not reveal any malfunction which may have caused or contributed to the accident.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident has not been determined. A possible explanation is that the pilot attempted a turning manoeuvre from which he was unable to recover in the height available.
Final Report:

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman off Sydney

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Skyservice Aviation
Registration:
VH-GSF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
270
YOM:
1943
Location:
Sydney
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The engine failed and burst into flames during a skydiving display off Manly Beach, northeast of Sydney. Eight parachutists baled out, followed by pilot Ken Andrews (owner of Skyservice Aviation) at 5,000 feet who was wearing a parachute. As he floated down under his parachute the circling Norseman came very close to hitting him. All were rescued by boats. The Norseman struck the sea 6 miles off the beach, 5 miles southeast off Sydney Heads.
Souce: Geoff Goodall
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK off Faleolo: 32 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1970 at 0254 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
5W-FAC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Faleolo - Pago Pago
MSN:
16964/34224
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
PH208B
Location:
Faleolo
All Samoa Islands
Country:
Samoa Islands (Western Samoa)
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Circumstances:
One minute after takeoff from Faleolo Airport, while climbing, the airplane entered a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity, rain falls, turbulences and windshear. The airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards offshore. It exploded while contacting the water surface and all 32 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by severe turbulences and probable windshear.
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