FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Aircraft ground excursion during takeoff (ZK-BAU)

Milford Sound, New ZealandTakeoff (climb)

On April 22, 1964, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration ZK-BAU) operated by Southern Scenic Air-Services was involved in an aviation accident near Milford Sound, New Zealand during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft became uncontrollable immediately upon rotation, leading to a runway strike. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft lost control immediately following liftoff, resulting in a runway excursion and significant damage to the airframe.

What happened

During the takeoff phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of control at the moment of rotation. As the plane transitioned from the ground to the air, it veered off its intended path and made contact with the runway surface. The sequence of events concluded when the aircraft came to a complete stop on the airfield.

All three individuals on board were able to exit the aircraft without injury. Following the incident, an assessment of the airframe determined that the damage sustained during the excursion was too extensive to allow for repairs, rendering the plane a total loss.

Findings

  • The aircraft lost directional stability at the point of liftoff.
  • Contact with the runway surface occurred during the initial climb phase.

Probable cause

The aircraft became uncontrollable immediately upon rotation, leading to a runway strike.

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses