Hamilton | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff from Lake Tekapo, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height the stalled and crashed past the runway end. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the stall during initial climb was the consequence of an excessive accumulation of frost on fuselage and wings. The aircraft was not deiced prior to takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Hamilton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1974 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Operator:

Registration:

VH-BSY

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hamilton - Hamilton

MSN:

1563

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2804

Captain / Total hours on type:

1500.00

Circumstances:

The crew was involved in a local spraying mission in the region of Hamilton, Tasmania. While cruising at an altitude of 500 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a left turn and descended till 50 feet when the airplane struck power cables. On impact, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a power line was installed few days prior to the accident and apparently, the pilot was not aware of it. The crew has been briefed before flight but the chief pilots failed to inform the crew of the presence of the power line as he was convinced the crew was already aware of its presence.

Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY Catalina off Vougo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1943 at 1345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

FP138

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hamilton - Largs

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The seaplane departed Hamilton, Bermuda, on a transatlantic flight to Largs, Scotland, carrying two passengers and four crew members. For such a long flight, the airplane was unarmed. Approaching Europe, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and became disoriented. He was rerouted to Plymouth instead of Largs but due to a navigation error, the airplane continued over Brittany. Due to a fuel exhaustion, the crew was forced to land off the French coast when the airplane was shot down by a combination of German Flak and fighter. The seaplane crashed into the sea off Vougo. Three crew members were killed and three others became PoW.
Crew:
Cpt Edward Howard Stafford, pilot,
Sgt Alan Rodgers, flight engineer, †
F/O Keith Thompson, navigator,
Sgt Howard Lionel Covert, radio operator.
Passengers:
F/O Harry Leo Abrin, †
R/O Roslyn Lloyd George Browne. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by a combination of German Flak and fighter.

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:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.