What happened
On the morning of January 19, 2002, a Cessna 207, registered as ZK-SEV, departed from Te Anau Aerodrome, bound for Milford Sound Aerodrome. Shortly after the departure, at approximately 10:00, the aircraft struck the side of a mountain within a valley. The impact occurred at an elevation of roughly 4,400 feet, situated about 500 meters southeast of Gertrude Saddle and 11 kilometers away from its destination.
The accident resulted in 6 fatalities, as the pilot and all five passengers were killed in the collision.
Findings
Investigations into the accident suggest that the aircraft was likely unable to maintain a safe altitude required to clear the Gertrude Saddle. It is believed that the pilot failed to initiate a turn back within the valley in a timely manner to gain the necessary height to avoid the terrain.