On August 9, 1948, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration ZK-AOE) operated by New Zealand National Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Port Underwood, New Zealand in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A cargo plane struck a mountain slope near Port Underwood shortly after departing Blenheim, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board.
What happened
The incident occurred approximately fifteen minutes after the aircraft departed from Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport. The flight was operating as a cargo service bound for Paraparaumu. During this initial phase of the journey, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions that impacted visibility and control.
The aircraft subsequently impacted the slope of a mountain situated at Rununder Point, which is located near Port Underwood. This site lies approximately 32 kilometers to the northeast of Blenheim. The collision resulted in fatal injuries for both pilots on board the aircraft.
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