Wellington – Rotorua

On November 21, 1961 at 11:55 AM, Wellington – Rotorua experienced a crash involving Rockwell Grand Commander 680, operated by Bay of Plenty Airways, with the event recorded near Mt Ruapehu Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons Regional Council).

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

6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. At 1117LT flight 92 departed Wellington Airport on a scheduled flight to Rotorua. The flight cleared Wellington Control Zone and later reported its position at Foxton and east of Ohakea. No further messages ware received from the aircraft, and no distress calls were heard. At 1155LT the aircraft was sighted over the northeast slopes of Mount Ruapehu. A few seconds later the starboard wing, complete with engine, separated from the fuselage. As the rest of the structure plunged towards the ground an explosion occurred, and the fuselage burst into flames. The aircraft crashed on the face of the mountain, and the pilot and five passengers died instantly. The accident occurred at an altitude of 7 300 ft amsl, 1 276 yd from Te Heu Heu Peak. Crew: Cpt Alf Bartlett, pilot. Passengers: Marlene Boynton, Nicholas Crook 2 children Irvine Down.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-BWA, MSN 680-437-109, year of manufacture 1958.