On July 4, 1966, a 1966 Air New Zealand crash was involved in an aviation accident near New Zealand. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: During the captain's attempt to simulate an engine failure, the captain accidentally deployed the thrust reverser on the number four engine, resulting in the aircraft's speed falling below the minimum control speed, which resulted in the aircraft becoming… This summary draws on records from Wikidata contributors.
On 4 July 1966, an Air New Zealand Douglas DC-8-52 crashed during a training flight at Auckland International Airport, killing two crew members. The accident remains New Zealand's only commercial airliner crash.
Accident Overview
On 4 July 1966, an Air New Zealand Douglas DC-8-52 aircraft crashed during takeoff from Auckland International Airport. The flight was a training exercise with five crew members on board. Two of the five crew members died in the accident. This was the first fatal accident in Air New Zealand's history and, as of the report, the only accident involving a commercial airliner in New Zealand.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the captain was simulating an engine failure during the takeoff. In the process, the captain accidentally deployed the thrust reverser on the number four engine. This caused the aircraft's speed to fall below the minimum control speed, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable and leading to the crash.
Casualties and Damage
The aircraft was destroyed. Of the five crew members, two were killed. The remaining three crew members survived.
Probable cause
During the captain's attempt to simulate an engine failure, the captain accidentally deployed the thrust reverser on the number four engine, resulting in the aircraft's speed falling below the minimum control speed, which resulted in the aircraft becoming uncontrollable and the eventual crash.