Gisborne – Hastings

On February 8, 1931 at 01:15 PM, Gisborne – Hastings experienced a crash involving Desoutter I/II, operated by Dominion Airways - New Zealand, with the event recorded near Wairoa Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

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

3 people were known to be on board, 3 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: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft departed Gisborne at 1245LT bound for Hastings, carrying two passengers, one pilot and several mail bags. While cruising over the area of Wairoa, the pilot drop a mail bag when the aircraft stalled and crashed onto the side of a road. All three occupants were killed. It appears the aircraft stalled while the pilot was trying to gain altitude after dropping the mail bag. Crew: Ivan Louis Kight. Passengers: Walter Findlay, Mr. W.C. Strand.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-ACA, MSN D.36, year of manufacture 1930.