Auckland | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Auckland-Mangere Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, impacted trees and crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed and the aircraft named 'Kotare' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Crew:
C. M. Duthie, pilot,
W. J. Peel, copilot.

Probable cause:

Engine failure shortly after rotation.

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

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

ZK-AAT

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Auckland - Auckland

MSN:

1132

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

At a height of 400 feet, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Mangere, north of Auckland Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-42B into the Pacific Ocean: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1938 at 0830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Sikorsky S-42

Operator:

Registration:

NC16734

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Oakland – Honolulu – Kingman Reef – Pago Pago – Auckland

MSN:

4207

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a mail flight from Oakland, California, to Auckland, New Zealand, with intermediate stops in Honolulu, Kingman Reef and Pago Pago. One hour after his departure from Pago Pago, in the early hours, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to dump the fuel. Apparently, an oil leak occurred on the engine n°4 that was shut down. The captain decided to return to Pago Pago but the seaplane named 'Samoan Clipper' crashed into the sea some 120 km south of Pago Pago. Few debris were found floating on water and all seven occupants were killed, among them Captain Edwin C. Musick, first official Captain by Pan Am.
Crew:
Edwin C. Musick, pilot,
Cecil G. Sellers, pilot,
P. S. Brunk, copilot,
F. J. MacLean, navigator,
J. W. Stickrod, flight engineer,
J. A. Brooks, machanic,
T. D. Findley, radio operator.

Probable cause:

It was theorized that gasoline vapors had become trapped by a wing flap when it was extended after the crew began dumping fuel in preparation for landing, causing an in-flight fire and/or explosion.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Mangere: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1930 at 1900 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

ZK-AAE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Auckland - Auckland

MSN:

928

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was performing a local solo training flight out from Auckland Airport. While flying at a height of 2,500 feet, he lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. The pilot Cyril Olsen was killed.

Crash of a Dornier Do.12A Libelle I off Auckland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.12 Libelle

Operator:

Aerial Services New Zealand

Registration:

ZK-ABI

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Auckland - Auckland

MSN:

101

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local test flight out of Auckland when the engine misfired on approach. The seaplane stalled and crashed in the Mechanics Bay, off Milford Beach. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Crew:
Don Harkness, pilot.
Passenger:
Charles Goldsbro.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach.