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De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident at Te Awamutu, New Zealand, 21 May 1930 (G-EBZY)

Te Awamutu, New ZealandFlight

On May 21, 1930, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-EBZY) operated by Bryant House Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Te Awamutu, New Zealand in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the pilot intended to demonstrate a spin but made an error when, prior to the spin entry, he overestimated his height. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

It is believed that the pilot intended to demonstrate a spin but made an error when, prior to the spin entry, he overestimated his height.

— the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A) Determination

Accident narrative

Captain A. W. Saunders was performing demo flights on the racecourse of Te Awamutu. With his passenger Alfred W. Minchin, he climbed to a height of 1,000 feet when the plane was seen to enter a spin. The spin was recovered from about 50 feet and the Moth was still diving when it impacted the ground. Both occupants were seriously injured and evacuated to the local hospital. While the passenger died from his injuries in the evening, the pilot died the following day. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.

Probable cause (official findings): It is believed that the pilot intended to demonstrate a spin but made an error when, prior to the spin entry, he overestimated his height.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 May 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident near Te Awamutu, New Zealand?

Captain A. W. Saunders was performing demo flights on the racecourse of Te Awamutu. With his passenger Alfred W. Minchin, he climbed to a height of 1,000 feet when the plane was seen to enter a spin. The spin was recovered from about 50 feet and the Moth was still diving when it impacted the ground. Both occupants…

Were there any fatalities in the 21 May 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 May 1930 involved a De Havilland DH.60 Moth, registration G-EBZY, operated by Bryant House Airways, at Te Awamutu, New Zealand.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

It is believed that the pilot intended to demonstrate a spin but made an error when, prior to the spin entry, he overestimated his height.

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