Masterton - Masterton

On October 20, 1957 at 07:00 AM, Masterton - Masterton experienced a crash involving Lockheed 18 LodeStar, operated by Fieldair, with the event recorded near Bideford Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The flight was categorized as spraying (agricultural) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) 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. Lodestar ZK-BMC was operating several topdressing sorties in the area of Bideford. On the morning of October 20, the plane departed at 05:15 on the first sortie of the day. The operation proceeded normally, each flight taking 17 to 18 minutes to complete. At 06:40 hours it was apparent that a front was approaching from the south. The pilot decided to carry out one more flight and departed Masterton at 07:00. The aircraft struck a hill 1,350 feet (410 m) amsl, 8 feet below the crest in drizzle and poor visibility. Both pilots were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-BMC, MSN 2553, year of manufacture 1943.