Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III off Nelson: 6 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 29, 1942 at 1530 LT
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2029
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nelson - Nelson
MSN:
414-3852
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training flight off Nelson. In flight, the captain decided to reduce his altitude and made a very low pass over the Tasman Bay. Propeller blades hit the water surface and the pilot increased engine power to gain altitude. At a height of 200 feet, the aircraft went out of control, the pilot was able to send a brief mayday message and ditched the aircraft. Ten minutes later, the pilot of a RNZAF's Harvard spotted the Hudson floating with all crew alive, seating on both wings. Unfortunately, more than two hours were needed for the crew of a RNZAF ship to rich the site. Only one crew was found alive as all six other occupants died from hypothermia because the water temperature was too low.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O Dean Horrocks, †
Sgt Vincent Hill, †
Sgt Jack Bryson, †
Sgt Victor Chapple, †
Sgt Gordon Stevens, †
AC1 John Davis, †
W/O J. Colway.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O Dean Horrocks, †
Sgt Vincent Hill, †
Sgt Jack Bryson, †
Sgt Victor Chapple, †
Sgt Gordon Stevens, †
AC1 John Davis, †
W/O J. Colway.
Probable cause:
Poor judgement on part of the pilot during a low pass over the sea, causing the propeller blades to hit the water surface.
