Collision
During a demonstration at Wigram Airbase commemorating the London-Christchurch Rallye anniversary, two Royal New Zealand Air Force De Havilland Devons, registered NZ1810 and NZ1811, collided in midair. The aircraft were approaching the airfield from the south at an altitude of 1,200 feet when the right wing of NZ1810 touched the left wing of NZ1811. Both aircraft then lost control and crashed in a paddock approximately 700 meters from the airbase. They were totally destroyed.
Personnel
On board NZ1810 were pilot Flight Lieutenant Edwin Pattison Booth Ebbett, along with Aircraftman 1st Class Brian James Keogh and Aircraftman 1st Class Eric Melrose. On board NZ1811 were pilot Squadron Leader Sholto Russell Duncan, Aircraftman 1st Class William Henry Sharman, Aircraftman 2nd Class Russell Woodcock, and Lieutenant Erling William Ziesler. All seven crew members on both aircraft were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be wrong judgement on part of both crew members while flying in formation.