Whenuapai – Paraparaumu
Flight / Schedule
Whenuapai – Paraparaumu
Aircraft
Lockheed C-60 LodeStarRegistration
ZK-AKX
MSN
2382
Year of Manufacture
1943
Operator
New Zealand National AirwaysDate
March 18, 1949 at 09:40 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Waikanae Greater Wellington Regional Council
Region
Oceania • New Zealand
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On March 18, 1949 at 09:40 AM, Whenuapai – Paraparaumu experienced a crash involving Lockheed C-60 LodeStar, operated by New Zealand National Airways, with the event recorded near Waikanae Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.
15 people were known to be on board, 15 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: 13, passenger fatalities: 13, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The descent to Paraparaumu was started in marginal weather conditions. On approach, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Keruru' hit tree tops and crashed on the wooded slope of a mountain located in Waikanae, about 11 km from the airport. The wreckage was reached by rescuers two hours later. The aircraft was destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-AKX, MSN 2382, year of manufacture 1943.
Fatalities
Total
15
Crew
2
Passengers
13
Other
0
Crash Summary
The descent to Paraparaumu was started in marginal weather conditions. On approach, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Keruru' hit tree tops and crashed on the wooded slope of a mountain located in Waikanae, about 11 km from the airport. The wreckage was reached by rescuers two hours later. The aircraft was destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
13
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 15
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Whenuapai – Paraparaumu
Operator
New Zealand National AirwaysFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Oceania • New Zealand
Aircraft Details
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