What happened
On 9 June 1995, a scheduled domestic service operated by Ansett New Zealand departed Auckland bound for Palmerston North. The aircraft involved was a de Havilland Canada Dash 8-100, bearing the registration ZK-SBA.
During the final approach phase to Palmerston North Airport, the flight deviated from its intended path and impacted the Tararua Range. The collision resulted in a catastrophic crash site within the mountainous terrain.
Investigation
The subsequent inquiry focused on the circumstances leading to the controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) incident. Investigators examined the flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and weather conditions at the time of the accident to determine why the aircraft descended below safe altitudes during the approach.
Findings
The crash claimed the lives of four individuals: one flight attendant and three passengers. The remaining occupants survived the impact. Specifically, the two pilots and fifteen other passengers were rescued or survived the initial collision. This incident remains a significant event in New Zealand's aviation history due to the loss of life during a routine domestic flight.