Accident Details
A twin-engine aircraft, operating an on-demand scenic flight from Wanaka to Milford Sound, crashed on the Blue Duck Glacier near Milford Sound. The aircraft was carrying nine tourists and one pilot. The wreckage was discovered several hours later at an altitude of 5,400 feet. All 10 occupants were killed in the accident.
Circumstances
The circumstances leading to the crash remain unknown. The aircraft was en route when it struck the mountain slope under conditions that have not been determined. No witnesses observed the flight path prior to the event, and there were no survivors.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation stated that the lack of direct evidence to account for the operational or structural manner in which the aircraft struck the mountain slope, combined with the remoteness of the site (which provided no witness observation) and the absence of any survivor, precluded a determination of the accident's probable cause.