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Greater Wellington Regional Council

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 off Makara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ACZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hokitika – New Plymouth
MSN:
3049
YOM:
1931
Location:
Makara
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:
2
Circumstances:
A student pilot and an instructor were performing a training flight from Hokitika to New Plymouth. While overflying the Cook Strait in foggy conditions, the single engine aircraft crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances. Some debris were found few days later on shore but no trace of both crewmen.

Crash of a Miles M.3B Falcon Major in Wellington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1936 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Miles M.3B Falcon Major
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AEI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hamilton – Wellington
MSN:
247
YOM:
1935
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On approach to Wellington Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to rain and low ceiling down to 100 metres. On final, the airplane collided with the mast of an anemometric station, causing the right wing to be torn off. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. The passenger escaped uninjured while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
Malcolm McGregor, pilot. †
Passenger:
Charles William Feilden Hamilton.

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

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1932 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AAJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Blenheim – Wellington
MSN:
914
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Wellington-Rongotai Airport, the pilot performed several S turns to reduce speed when the aircraft stalled and crashed on the golf course of Miramar, near the airport. The aircraft came to rest upside down near the 16th hole. While both occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1932 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Levin – Wellington
MSN:
1249
YOM:
1930
Location:
Johnsonville
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:
En route from Levin to Wellington-Rongotai Airport, while approaching Wellington, the engine failed. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing in Johnsonville but while trying to land on a small road, the aircraft impacted a power pole, pivoted and crashed in front of a house, bursting into flames. Both pilots were seriously injured and all five occupants of the house were unhurt. Both aircraft and house were destroyed by fire.
Crew:
A. L. de Tourette,
L. F. P. Taylor.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1932
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AAM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Masterton - Masterton
MSN:
867
YOM:
1929
Location:
Masterton
Greater Wellington 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:
The pilot departed Masterton on a local solo training mission. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The pilot was injured and the airplane was destroyed.
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