Rotorua – Hamilton

On January 14, 1950 at 12:00 AM, Rotorua – Hamilton experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, operated by New Zealand National Airways, with the event recorded near Rotorua Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was parking at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) 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 technical failure. The aircraft was parked at Rotorua Airport and ready for its schedule flight to Hamilton Airport (Rukuhia). During engine start up, a fire erupted from the left engine and the fire spread to the dry grass. The aircraft caught fire and all five occupants were able to vacate the cabin before the aircraft would be completely destroyed by fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration ZK-ALC, MSN 6664, year of manufacture 1943.