On November 20, 1932, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration ZK-AAJ) operated by Marlborough Aero Club was involved in an aviation accident near Wellington, New Zealand during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from an aerodynamic stall induced while performing S-turns to reduce speed during the approach phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft stalled while executing speed reduction maneuvers on final approach to Wellington-Rongotai Airport, crashing onto a nearby golf course and resulting in minor injuries for the occupants.
What happened
During the final approach phase toward Wellington-Rongotai Airport, the pilot initiated a series of S-turns with the objective of reducing airspeed. While executing these maneuvers, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall. The plane subsequently descended and impacted the ground on the Miramar golf course, located in close proximity to the airport perimeter. The wreckage came to rest in an inverted position near the 16th hole.
Both individuals aboard the aircraft sustained minor injuries during the impact. Despite the survival of the occupants, the structural damage sustained by the airframe was extensive, rendering it damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause
The accident resulted from an aerodynamic stall induced while performing S-turns to reduce speed during the approach phase.
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