NZ5901

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.

Flight / Schedule

NZ5901

Registration

NZ5901

MSN

12832

Year of Manufacture

1947

Date

December 10, 1956 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Supply

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Mountains

Crash Location

Cameron Highlands Pahang

Region

Asia • Malaysia

Coordinates

4.4727°, 101.3723°

Narrative Report

On December 10, 1956 at 12:00 AM, NZ5901 experienced a crash involving Bristol 170 Freighter, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Cameron Highlands Pahang.

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

9 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 88.9%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 6, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

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.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ5901, MSN 12832, year of manufacture 1947.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 4.4727°, 101.3723°.

Fatalities

Total

8

Crew

3

Passengers

5

Other

0

Crash Summary

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.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

6

Estimated Survivors

1

Fatality Rate

88.9%

Known people on board: 9

Operational Details

Flight Type

Supply

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Mountains

Region / Country

Asia • Malaysia

Aircraft Details

Registration

NZ5901

MSN

12832

Year of Manufacture

1947

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