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Missing!  Aircraft Missing in New Zealand 1928 - 2000  by Chris Rudge

A total of 45 aircraft appear on missing aircraft lists in New Zealand. Of these, 17 have gone missing without trace and 12 were found from between three months and 39 years later. The remainder are presumed to have crashed at sea, as some of the aircraft, cargo or crew were recovered after the event. Tragically, these accidents claimed the lives of 118 people.

This book records the details leading up to each aircraft’s disappearance, the subsequent search for the aircraft and the conclusions reached by military courts of inquiry and civilian air accident investigators.

"The result of over six year’s research and interviews, this book gathers, for the first time, the details surrounding New Zealand’s missing aircraft into one volume. An important addition to New Zealand aviation literature, it is essential reading for aviation historians, those who knew people involved, or those who wish to try and locate aircraft that disappeared without trace and solve some of this country’s greatest aviation mysteries.

  Reviews

"An extremely detailed and impressive account of New Zealand's missing aircraft and an intriguing read for those with a love for aviation and the world off flight. . . an excellent reference guide."  New Zealand Outside magazine, June 2003.  Sir Edmund Hilliary endorsed this magazine by stating "New Zealand Outside is the most comprehensive outdoor guide to New Zealand that I have seen.  It is an exceptional publication."  The magazine was also a winner at the 1998 Tourism Awards.

"A rare gem in an age of hastily published books . . . Expertly researched, the book is a unique and valuable addition to New Zealand's aviation literature that I would recommend to researcher and enthusiast alike." Callum Macpherson, Pacific Wings

"This book is excellent, absolutely excellent, and has heaps of interest to aviators as well as non-aviators. Each chapter is thoroughly researched and well presented, with numerous easy-to-read technical explanations.  The many archival photographs are excellent.  The text is well written, with full details . . . "  Tony Gates, Evening Standard

"Excellent work on a fascinating subject - well done!" Graham Orphan, Classic Wings

"Extremely well researched and well written. A very interesting read." Richard Rayward, Air Safaris

"A very fine book!" Helen Reynolds, Taumarunui Library

"I thought I'd just say how impressed I was with it when it arrived." Dave Provan, RNZAF Museum

"The book is well written and well researched by someone who really knows his stuff.  Highly recommended."  Classic Wings magazine

The list of aircraft covered in book (by chapter)

Part One - Missing Without Trace
 

Aircraft type	Identity	Date missing
Ryan B-1 Brougham	G-AUNZ	10 January 1928
Airspeed Oxford	NZ278	26 March 1942
North American Harvard	NZ964	18 August 1942
Vickers Vincent	NZ332	8 December 1942
Lockheed Hudsons	NZ2044 & NZ2066	20 August 1944
Chance Vought Corsair	NZ5517	11 November 1944
Chance Vought Corsair	NZ5544	15 April 1945
Douglas Dakota	NZ3526	24 September 1945
De Havilland Tiger Moth	ZK-AJV	7 June 1947
De Havilland Tiger Moth	ZK-ATL	27 September 1958
De Havilland Dragonfly	ZK-AFB	12 February 1962
Cessna 180	ZK-BMP	16 August 1978
Piper Cherokee Six	ZK-EBU	29 December 1978
Piper Tomahawk	ZK-WAC	7 January 1982
Cessna 172	ZK-CSS	30 July 1983
Cessna 180	ZK-FMQ	8 November 1997

Part Two - Lost and Found
 

Aircraft type	Identity	Date missing	Date found
Airspeed Oxford	NZ1302	29 May 1941	5 April 1980
Airspeed Oxford	NZ1245	20 November 1941	10 April 1943
Airspeed Oxford	NZ1237	14 January 1942	22 April 1942
De Havilland Tiger Moth	NZ1432	23 August 1942	21 June 1945
Airspeed Oxford	NZ277	23 October 1942	15 January 1974
Lockheed Ventura	NZ4573	28 February 1946	18 March 1949
Airspeed Oxford	NZ2124	5 July 1952	24 July 1953
Taylorcraft	ZK-ATY	23 November 1956	14 May 1959
Cessna 150	ZK-CGI	3 February 1970	3 August 1972
Maule	ZK-DYA	27 July 1974	4 November 1978
Piper Cherokee	ZK-DIT	26 February 1984	26 May 1984
Piper Cherokee	ZK-MBI	21 May 1995	8 April 2001

Part Three - Missing But Wreckage Found
 

Aircraft Type	Identity	Date missing	Found
De Havilland Gipsy Moth	ZK-ACZ	23 March 1937	Some wreckage
North American Harvard	NZ961	21 January 1942	Seat cushion
Vickers Vildebeest	NZ122	30 October 1942	Wheel
Fairey Gordon	NZ617	7 December 1942	Pilot's body/wheel
De Havilland Tiger Moth	ZK-AKD	16 November 1946	Interplane strut
De Havilland Puss Moth	ZK-AJW	25 August 1948	Pilot's body/wreckage
De Havilland Tiger Moth	ZK-AIS	28 April 1949	Interplane strut
De Havilland Vampire	NZ5737	20 May 1952	Some wreckage
North American Mustang	NZ2425	20 March 1955	Some wreckage
De Havilland Tiger Moth	ZK-BGS	28 November 1957	Interplane strut
Piper Comanche	ZK-BOO	17 October 1958	Undercarriage
Cessna 310	ZK-CFG	2 December 1971	Undercarriage
Cessna 172	ZK-CSN	30 July 1972	Port wheel
Cessna 404	ZK-TAS	8 August 1977	Some wreckage
Aero Commander	ZK-DBQ	31 October 1977	Some wreckage
Cessna 208	ZK-SFB	27 November 1987	Some wreckage

Some photos from the book

The disappearance of Hood and Moncrieff, who went missing on 10 January 1928 during the first attempt to cross the Tasman Sea by air in a Ryan Brougham aircraft, is covered in detail in the book. This is the first comprehensive account of this aviation mystery.

ZK-CGI was recovered from Lake Duncan, Fiordland. The pilot of the Hiller helicopter is Bill Black. This aircraft was stolen from Taieri Aerodrome and then ditched. The aircraft is still flying today.

The remains of Airspeed Oxford, NZ1302, which lay undiscovered in the Tararua Ranges for 39 years. The wreck was eventually found by a hunter.