No fatalities

Aircraft crash in Bideford (ZK-BIJ)

Bideford, New ZealandFlight

On January 25, 1966, a Fletcher FU-24 (registration ZK-BIJ) operated by Private New Zealand was involved in an aviation accident near Bideford, New Zealand in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An unidentified aircraft crashed in Bideford, resulting in injuries to the pilot and the total loss of the airframe.

What happened

An aviation accident occurred in Bideford involving an aircraft of unknown type. During the event, the aircraft impacted the ground under circumstances that have not yet been determined. The impact resulted in the total loss of the aircraft, which was subsequently declared a write-off.

Following the crash, the pilot sustained injuries, though the specific nature and severity of these medical conditions were not detailed in the initial report. No other occupants or ground casualties were reported at the scene.

Findings

The exact cause of the accident remains unconfirmed, as the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. Investigators have not yet released a definitive conclusion regarding the sequence of events leading to the impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Jan 1966 Fletcher FU-24 accident near Bideford, New Zealand?

An unidentified aircraft crashed in Bideford, resulting in injuries to the pilot and the total loss of the airframe.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Jan 1966 Fletcher FU-24 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Jan 1966 involved a Fletcher FU-24, registration ZK-BIJ, operated by Private New Zealand, at Bideford, New Zealand.