Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK off Hobsonville

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
NZ3549
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Whenuapai - Whenuapai
MSN:
16734/33482
YOM:
1945
Location:
Hobsonville
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing single engine approaches and landings at RNZAF Whenuapai. On approach, the second engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the bay off Hobsonville. All three crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus off Hobsonville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Supermarine Walrus
Operator:
Registration:
NZ154
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hobsonville - Hobsonville
Location:
Hobsonville
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While taking off from the upper Waitemata harbor off Hobsonville, the seaplane was hit by waves, damaging the port float and wing tip. The aircraft settled back onto the water and as the port wing touched the water, nosed in and sank. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was injured.
Crew:
F/O John Marshall,
F/O William Morrison,
LAC Whitefield.
Probable cause:
Hit by waves on takeoff.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I off Hobsonville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1943 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Supermarine Walrus
Operator:
Registration:
NZ153
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hobsonville - Hobsonville
Location:
Hobsonville
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from the bay of Hobsonville, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. A crew member was killed while both other occupants were injured. The aircraft was lost.
Crew:
P/O Morris Bee, pilot, †
Sgt D. Leslie,
LAC A. Larkman.
Probable cause:
The stall that occurred shortly after rotation was caused by an engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Airspeed AS.10 Oxford
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1251
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hobsonville – Ohakea
MSN:
562
YOM:
1940
Location:
Tongaporutu
Taranaki Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
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.
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