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Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon in Wellington

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1820
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04411
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing, the crew encountered technical problems with the braking systems. The captain decided to raise the landing gear when the aircraft sank on its belly and came to a halt. Both occupants were uninjured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon near Lindis Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1816
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Queenstown - Queenstown
MSN:
04399
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Queenstown Airport at 1320LT for a local training flight. En route, while flying a lot height, the airplane struck a hillside located in the region of Lindis Pass. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon at Wigram AFB

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1963 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1830
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
04428
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Wigram AFB. On final approach, an engine caught fire. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed short of runway. While the pilot was uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine fire on final approach.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver on Beardmore Glacier

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1960 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ6010
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
911
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a supply mission to Beardmore Glacier and elected to land in whiteout conditions when the airplane struck the icy ground and crashed. Both pilots were rescued five days later and the aircraft was abandoned in situ.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland V in Te Whanga Lagoon

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4111
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Under the command of F/Lt B. Dwyer, the aircraft struck an uncharted, submerged reef while taking-off from the Te Whanga Lagoon. The impact severely damaged the flying boat’s hull. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned and later dismantled.
Probable cause:
Collision with a submerged reef while taking off.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon at Wigram AFB

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1809
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Woodbourne - Wigram
MSN:
04295
YOM:
1951
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the airplane landed hard and was considered as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the crew. The accident occurred by night.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 31M in the Cameron Highlands: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ5901
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
12832
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While flying at an altitude of 4,000 feet on a supply mission, the airplane hit trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and eight occupants were killed. As the airplane failed to return to its base, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was spotted in the afternoon. Rescuers were dropped off about 2,000 yards from the crash site but poor weather conditions hampered attempts to reach the wreckage which was eventually reached after three days only. The survivor walked away and was found alive twelve days later.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon in Invercargill

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1824
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04418
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Invercargill Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to stop, overran and came to rest into a ditch. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after landing due to brakes failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.95 Hastings C.3 in Darwin

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
NZ5804
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Darwin – Singapore
MSN:
150
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Darwin Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft suffered a bird strike. As an engine lost power, the aircraft stalled and crashed past the runway end. All 25 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a bird strike after takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon on Mt Shingle Slip Knob: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1955 at 1011 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1815
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Ohakea - Ohakea
MSN:
04398
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight and left Ohakea Airbase at 0917LT. Apparently while returning and flying over the Taratua Forest Park in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane hit the slope of Mt Shingle Slip Knob at 1011LT. The wreckage was found three days later few meters below the summit and both crew members have been killed. It is believed the aircraft was off track at the time of the accident and the crew was unaware of the presence of the mountain due the lack of visibility.
Crew:
F/Lt Edward Casey,
F/Lt William Trott.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.