Whenuapai - Whenuapai

On March 27, 1965 at 12:00 AM, Whenuapai - Whenuapai experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-188 Electra, operated by Tasman Empire Airways, with the event recorded near Whenuapai AFB (Auckland) Auckland Council.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

6 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew was completing a local training mission at Whenuapai Airport. Following several uneventful manoeuvres, the crew completed a new approach for landing when, on short final, the airplane sank and stuck the runway surface at a speed of 140 knots. On impact, the left main gear was sheared off and the airplane went out of control and veered off runway to the left. While contacting soft ground, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft came to rest in flames. All six occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-TEC, MSN 2011, year of manufacture 1959.