Crash of a De Havilland DH.90A Dragonfly off Westport: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 21, 1942 at 0950 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AGP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hokitika – Greymouth – Westport – Nelson
MSN:
7566
YOM:
1937
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Westport Airport at 0929LT on the last leg to Nelson. While climbing to an altitude of 4,000 feet, the starboard engine suffered serious vibrations then the right propeller detached. The pilot increased power on the left engine and attempted to return to Westport. Shortly later, the airplane stalled and crashed into the sea 7 km offshore. All four passengers drowned while the pilot was rescued. In March 1943, the propeller was found on a beach in Westport.
Crew:
Arthur C. Baines, pilot.
Passengers:
Albert Johnson,
Albert Winters,
Michael Hearty,
Geoffrey McBride.
Crew:
Arthur C. Baines, pilot.
Passengers:
Albert Johnson,
Albert Winters,
Michael Hearty,
Geoffrey McBride.
Probable cause:
Examination of the propeller blades showed that the attachment bolts may not have been tightened correctly and had become loose in flight, causing the propeller to separate from the engine.
