Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Date: | Sunday 20 October 1957 |
Time: | 07:00 |
Type: | Lockheed 18-56-23 Lodestar |
Operator: | Fieldair |
Registration: | ZK-BMC |
MSN: | 18-2553 |
First flight: | 1943 |
Total airframe hrs: | 2898 |
Engines: | 2 Wright R-1820-G202A |
Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
Location: | Bideford ( New Zealand)
|
Phase: | En route (ENR) |
Nature: | Agricultural |
Departure airport: | Masterton Airport (MRO/NZMS), New Zealand |
Destination airport: | Masterton Airport (MRO/NZMS), New Zealand |
Narrative:Lodestar ZK-BMC was operating several topdressing sorties in the area of Bideford. On the morning of October 20, the plane departed at 05:15 on the first sortie of the day. The operation proceeded normally, each flight taking 17 to 18 minutes to complete. At 06:40 hours it was apparent that a front was approaching from the south. The pilot decided to carry out one more flight and departed Masterton at 07:00. The aircraft struck a hill 1,350 feet (410 m) amsl, 8 feet below the crest in drizzle and poor visibility.
Probable Cause:
OPINION: "The cause of the accident was an error of judgment on the part of the pilot in electing to continue the flight in the face of deteriorating weather conditions, during which time the aircraft struck the top of the hill, while the pilot was attempting to maintain visual flight under instrument conditions."
Classification:
VFR flight in IMC
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» Report of a Civil Aircraft Accident No. 25/3/877: Accident involving Lockheed Lodestar ZK-BMC at Bideford, near Masterton, on 20 October 1957
Photos
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.