ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 140561
Last updated: 20 May 2013
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| Date: | 21-MAY-1930 |
| Time: | ~4:25 pm |
| Type: |  de Havilland DH.60G Gypsy Moth |
| Operator: | Bryant House Airways |
| Registration: | G-EBZY |
| C/n / msn: | 806 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Near Te Awamutu Racecourse -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Te Awamutu Racecourse |
| Te Awamutu Racecourse |
The Moth had been carrying out passenger flights from the landing ground situated at the Te Awamutu Racecourse.
The plane was seen to enter a spin at a height of about 1,000 feet. The spin was recovered from at about 50 feet and the Moth was still diving when it hit the ground.
Both occupants received serious injuries from which they died in hospital.
Another pilot, present that day, said that the altimeter of the accident aircraft was unserviceable.
The 24-year old passenger, Alfred Minchin, was hoping to have a career in commercial flying and it was believed that the pilot intended to demonstrate a spin but made an error when, prior to the spin entry, he overestimated his height.
A.W. Minchin died in hospital at 7 o'clock that evening.
The pilot, A.W. Saunders died at 10 o'clock on the following day.
Captain A.W. Saunders had a notable flying career.
Serving in the famed 60 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front he was credited with the destruction of 10 enemy planes and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Following the Great War he had been an airline pilot, including service with Imperial Airways.
G-EBZY was Rebuilt in 1932-33 by Air Survey & Transport Ltd and fitted with a Gipsy III engine (taken from DH.80A ZK-ABR - and officially redesignated DH.60GIII?); registered to them as ZK-ABV 27.2.33 [or 23.3.33, also quoted as 17.5.33].
Reregistered 10.3.34 to Manawatu Aero Club, Palmerston North. Crashed near Taihape 11.12.35 after striking overhead H/T wires; pilot F/O GM Firth; rebuilt 7.36. Crashed on take-off from Rongotai at Miramar Golf Course 3.12.37; pilot R.L. Elliott killed. Registration ZK-ABV cancelled 8.2.38.
Sources:
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19300522.1.10&e=-------10--1----0--
http://www.ab-ix.com/dh60.pdf
Related books
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Dec-2011 17:39 | angels one five | Added |
| 26-Dec-2011 18:00 | angels one five | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
| 20-Dec-2012 10:51 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Narrative] |
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