Wigram – Rukuhia – Ohakea

On December 11, 1951 at 11:44 AM, Wigram – Rukuhia – Ohakea experienced a crash involving Airspeed AS.65 Consul, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Mt Ruapehu Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons Regional Council).

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a mountains 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: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew was completing a flight from Wigram AFB to Ohakea with an intermediate stop in Rukuhia, carrying a load of spare parts. While cruising at an altitude of 8,900 feet in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the east slope of the Te Heuheu peak located in the Ruapehu Mountain range. The wreckage was found about 50 feet below the summit and all three crew members have been killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ1902, MSN 3927, year of manufacture 1946.