No fatalities

Aircraft crash in Orakei, Auckland (ZK-CDW)

Auckland, New ZealandFlight

On October 29, 1973, a Fletcher FU-24 (registration ZK-CDW) operated by Private New Zealand was involved in an aviation accident near Auckland, 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 aircraft crashed in the Orakei suburb of Auckland during an aerial spraying operation.

What happened

During a scheduled mission involving aerial spraying, an aircraft went down in the Orakei area, located within the Auckland suburbs. The specific details regarding the flight path and the exact moment of the accident remain under investigation, as the event occurred while the aircraft was actively engaged in its spraying task.

No information has been released regarding the total number of fatalities or injuries resulting from the impact. The precise sequence leading to the loss of control is not yet documented in available reports.

Findings

The exact reasons for the crash are currently categorized as unknown circumstances. Investigators have not yet released a definitive conclusion regarding whether mechanical failure, environmental factors, or pilot error played a role in the incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Oct 1973 Fletcher FU-24 accident near Auckland, New Zealand?

An aircraft crashed in the Orakei suburb of Auckland during an aerial spraying operation.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Oct 1973 Fletcher FU-24 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Oct 1973 involved a Fletcher FU-24, registration ZK-CDW, operated by Private New Zealand, at Auckland, New Zealand.