Country
code

Taranaki Regional Council

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V in Omata: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1943 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2005
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Levin - Levin
MSN:
414-2675
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit a cliff located in Omata, near New Plymouth. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
F/Lt John Deans,
F/O James Philson,
Sgt John Power,
Sgt Hugh Steel.

Crash of a Fairey IIIF off Waitara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1942 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ617
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New Plymouth - New Plymouth
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew left New Plymouth Airport at 1530LT to perform a drogue towing exercise in the north area of New Zealand. In unknown circumstances, the single engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. A dead body was found 10 days later. Unfortunately, no trace of the second occupant was ever found.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt Peter Albert Morey,
LAC Thomas Patrick Davies.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I on Mt Egmont: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ277
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
New Plymouth - New Plymouth
MSN:
499
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training mission and left New Plymouth AFB in the day. En route, the twin engine aircraft disappeared without trace. SAR operations were conducted and eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. A hunter found the wreckage in a wooded area located on a slope of Mt Egmont on January 17, 1974. Mt Egmont was later renamed Mt Taranaki.
Crew:
P/O Rodney Dandy,
Sgt Edward Dodson,
Sgt Graham Martin,
Sgt Douglas Martyn.
Probable cause:
According to the RNZAF, the crew was bothered by the sudden deterioration of the weather conditions while flying in a valley close to Mt Egmont. Due to poor visibility and low ceiling, the crew was unable to locate the mountain on which the aircraft crashed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off New Plymouth

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ401
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New Plymouth - New Plymouth
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from New Plymouth Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea. While all four occupants were rescued, the aircraft was lost.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II in Waitara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1238
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Ohakea - Ohakea
MSN:
2659
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Ohakea AFB on a navigation training exercise. While cruising over the area of Waitara and completing a turn, the crew lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed on the slope of a hill, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Crew (3rd ATS):
F/Lt Harold Wiles,
LAC Norman Wilson.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Tongaporutu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1251
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hobsonville – Ohakea
MSN:
562
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Hobsonville to Ohakea, the twin engine aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. In March 1941, walkers found the wreckage in an isolated zone. According to the RNZAF, the aircraft have been built in Hobsonville and was on its way to be delivered at Ohakea Airport. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Harry Nalder Major,
F/Sgt Sheldon Smith,
Cpl Raymond Smith.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth on Mt Taranaki: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ABS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
1488
YOM:
1930
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising at high speed, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Pouakai located northwest of Mt Taranaki, in the Egmont National Park. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both occupants, pilot Stanley William Green and the photographer James Alexander Austin were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 504K in New Plymouth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1920 at 1610 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
F9745
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New Plymouth - New Plymouth
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a sightseeing flight around New Plymouth. While approaching to land, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the aerodrome. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Captain Richard Russell, pilot
Passengers:
James Clarke, mayor of New Plymouth,
Kathleen Warnock.