No fatalities

Aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair After Takeoff Incident at Paraparaumu Airport (ZK-AXS)

Paraparaumu-Kapiti Coast, New ZealandTakeoff (climb)

On November 6, 1970, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ZK-AXS) operated by Government of New Zealand was involved in an aviation accident near Paraparaumu-Kapiti Coast, New Zealand during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Captain's omission to abort the simulated takeoff in time. The following factors were considered as contributing: - High ground speed, - Overheated brakes. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

During a simulated takeoff roll at Paraparaumu Airport, an aircraft deviated right, causing the right main gear to be torn off by the runway shoulder. Both pilots were unhurt; the aircraft was destroyed. Probable cause: captain's omission to abort, with contributing factors of high ground speed and overheated brakes.

Incident

During the takeoff roll at Paraparaumu Airport, the aircraft deviated from the runway centerline to the right. As the airplane moved toward the edge, the right main landing gear struck the runway shoulder, resulting in the gear being torn off. The aircraft subsequently departed the runway surface and came to rest off the runway. Both pilots, who were the only occupants, were unharmed in the incident. The aircraft itself sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair.

The takeoff was conducted as a simulated exercise, according to the official investigation. The deviation from the centerline was not corrected, and the takeoff was not aborted in a timely manner. The aircraft continued to the right until the right main gear failed upon contact with the shoulder, causing the aircraft to veer off the paved surface.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the incident was the captain's omission to abort the simulated takeoff in time. Contributing factors were identified as high ground speed and overheated brakes.