Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth off Carlisle Island

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1968
Registration:
VH-UAL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4039
YOM:
1933
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the pilot encountered atmospheric turbulences. The airplane initiated an uncontrolled descent until it struck the water surface off Carlisle Island. The pilot was rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by downdrafts and turbulences.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar on Mt Waewaepa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1968 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-CMX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Oringi - Oringi
MSN:
2595
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
7364
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an operation involving the aerial sowing of bulk fertiliser. The Lodestar had made a straight sowing run after which it was seen to cross a ridge. It turned slightly to starboard and followed the line of the ridge before entering a comparatively steep left-hand turn apparently initiated to bring it back toward a suitable position from which another sowing run could be started. When about two-thirds of the turn had been completed, the aircraft was seen to flick suddenly into a left-hand spin which continued very rapidly for one and a half to two and a half turns until the aircraft impacted on bush-clad terrain near the top of the ridge it had formerly crossed, exploded, disintegrated and burned.
Probable cause:
The accident resulted from irretrievable loss of control occasioned by the unintentional incurrence of a stall and spin in conditions of turbulence and at a height which did not permit recovery before the aircraft struck the ground.

Crash of a Fletcher FU-24 in Awarua

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-CFP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
97
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a spraying mission in Awarua, 10 km south of Invercargill. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon I in Auckland

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZK-AXI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Auckland - Auckland
MSN:
2057
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Auckland-Ardmore Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane stalled and crashed in a grassy area. All eight occupants were injured and the airplane was written off. They were involved in a local skydiving mission.
Probable cause:
The left engine stopped following the failure of a fuel line.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89B Dominie near Queenstown

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AKT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Te Anau - Queenstown
MSN:
6673
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
About 15 minutes after departure from Te Anau-Manapouri Airport, the left engine vibrated then failed. The pilot continued his route to Queenstown-Frankton Airport when on approach, the right engine failed as well. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in the Shotover River located few km from the airfield. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for undetermined reason.

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

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BIM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
40
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft collided with a fenceline along the top of a minor ridge, with the port tail being badly damaged by a concrete post. A little further on, and at a lower level, the port wingtip struck the ground causing the plane to make a heavy impact in a totally inverted position. The airplane then slid about 100 feet (30 metres ) before coming to rest. A small fire stated but quickly burned itself out. The pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
he pilot attempted to fly across a ridge but misjudged the climb capability of his aircraft, and struck a fenceline marking the top. When the aircraft struck the fenceline it was in a partially stalled condition. Control of the aircraft was lost as the result of the collision with the fenceline. Inexperience of the pilot was a large factor in the occurrence of the accident.

Crash of a Fletcher FU-24-2 in Mourea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1966 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-CMJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Waerenga - Waerenga
MSN:
114
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local topdressing sowing flight in the region of Mourea, north of Rotorua. While cruising at low height, facing the sun, the airplane struck a tree (27,5 meters high), causing the left wing to be torn off. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames about 100 meters further on. The pilot was killed and the airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Investigations failed to reveal any mechanical failure and the airplane was properly maintained. It is believed that the pilot failed to see the tree due to the fact that he was flying face to the sun.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Nausori

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAX
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14012
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered a landing accident at Nausori Airport. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 on Mt Tokugmera: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
VP-PAD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lenakel – Ipao
MSN:
5002
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
1853
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Lenakel Airstrip (Tanna Island) on a flight to Ipao, Futuna Island, Vanuatu. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and as the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted. Three days later, the burned wreckage was found in a gorge located on Mt Tokugmera (1,084 meters high) located in the center of Tanna Island. All eight occupants were killed, including the airline's Chief Pilot and Operations Manager, Paul H. Burton.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Armidale

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-GSE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Armidale - Armidale
MSN:
249
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
The pilot Colin Pay was involved in a local crop dusting operations. On takeoff, the airplane struck a fence and a tractor then crashed inverted in flames. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft failed to climb away after becoming airborne and struck the ground again on its main wheels in a gully. On becoming airborne again it struck the top strand of a wire fence then alighted on the main wheels in a rock-strewn paddock, collided with a tractor, overturned and was destroyed by fire.