Ohakea - Ohakea

On February 17, 1955 at 10:11 AM, Ohakea - Ohakea experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.104 Dove, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Mt Shingle Slip Knob Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ1815, MSN 04398, year of manufacture 1953.