Blenheim – Paraparaumu

On August 9, 1948 at 08:45 AM, Blenheim – Paraparaumu experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by New Zealand National Airways, with the event recorded near Port Underwood Marlborough District Council.

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

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is human factor. About 15 minutes after takeoff from Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport, while on a cargo flight to Paraparaumu, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in Rununder Point, near Port Underwood, 32 km northeast of Blenheim. Both pilots were killed. Crew: Murdo McLeod, R. J. R. H. Makgill.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-AOE, MSN 16383/33131, year of manufacture 1945.