ZK-AKS

On June 15, 1965 at 12:00 AM, ZK-AKS experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, operated by Southern Scenic Air-Services, with the event recorded near Mt Soho Otago Regional Council.

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

5 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine aircraft was involved in an aerial photography mission out from Wellington. En route, the pilot encountered whiteout conditions and lost his orientation when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Soho located about 9 km north of Arrowtown, Otago. All five occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-AKS, MSN 6647, year of manufacture 1943.