Christchurch – Wellington
Flight / Schedule
Christchurch – Wellington
Aircraft
Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 ArgosyRegistration
ZK-SAF
MSN
6801
Year of Manufacture
1965
Operator
Safe AirDate
April 1, 1990 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Blenheim Marlborough District Council
Region
Oceania • New Zealand
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On April 1, 1990 at 12:00 AM, Christchurch – Wellington experienced a crash involving Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy, operated by Safe Air, with the event recorded near Blenheim Marlborough District Council.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. On final approach to Wellington Airport, the crew selected gear down but the left main gear failed to lock down. The crew decided to divert to Blenheim Airport for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown on runway 25, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-SAF, MSN 6801, year of manufacture 1965.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
On final approach to Wellington Airport, the crew selected gear down but the left main gear failed to lock down. The crew decided to divert to Blenheim Airport for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown on runway 25, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 2
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Christchurch – Wellington
Operator
Safe AirFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Oceania • New Zealand
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Walsh Brother's Flying School
Avro 504
The pilot was performing a sightseeing flight around New Plymouth. While approaching to land, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the aerodrome. All three occupants were killed. Crew: Captain Richard Russell, pilot Passengers: James Clarke, mayor of New Plymouth, Kathleen Warnock.
Canterbury Aviation
Avro 504
The pilot H. C. Grout was performing some demo flights in the region of Blenheim. After a stop in Kaikoura, he was positioning to his base in Christchurch. En route, the engine failed and he was forced to attempt an emergency landing. At low height, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wheat field near Motunau. Seriously injured, the pilot was evacuated to a local hospital but died from his injuries in the evening. The aircraft was destroyed.
Canterbury Aviation
Avro 504
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Wigram AFB. There were no casualties.
K. W. J. Hall
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Waikari, north of Christchurch. The pilot and owner K. W. J. Hall was unhurt.
Aerial Services New Zealand
Dornier DO.12 Libelle
The crew was performing a local test flight out of Auckland when the engine misfired on approach. The seaplane stalled and crashed in the Mechanics Bay, off Milford Beach. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. Crew: Don Harkness, pilot. Passenger: Charles Goldsbro.
Bryant House Airways
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Captain A. W. Saunders was performing demo flights on the racecourse of Te Awamutu. With his passenger Alfred W. Minchin, he climbed to a height of 1,000 feet when the plane was seen to enter a spin. The spin was recovered from about 50 feet and the Moth was still diving when it impacted the ground. Both occupants were seriously injured and evacuated to the local hospital. While the passenger died from his injuries in the evening, the pilot died the following day. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.
