It is always sad news to hear of a fatal aircraft accident. The recent crash in Papua and New Guinea, with the loss of 28 lives (may they rest in peace), involved not only a New Zealand pilot, but also the aircraft, a DHC Dash 8 had New Zealand connections.
First registered in New Zealand on the 1st of December 1995 De Havilland Canada DHC-8-102 Dash 8 ZK-NES City of Palmerston North (c/n 125) flew first for Ansett New Zealand. Following the sale of Ansett New Zealand ZK-NES was then used by Qantas New Zealand franchise which was officially launched on the 4th of September 2000. ZK-NES was the first 102 series to be repainted in Qantas New Zealand colours, it being repainted some 2 weeks before the offical launch. The Qantas New Zealand franchise did not last long, the operations coming to a halt on the 21st of April 2001. ZK-NES eventually found its way to Origin Pacific Airways while this company had a feeder arrangement for the Qantas parent compnay. It first flew for them on the 22nd of September 2002 and remained in service with them until the 7th of June 2003. A couple of months later it was ferried to PNG where it became P2-MCJ.
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| ZK-NES in Ansett NZ colours at Christchurch on 3 June 1996. Photo : S Lowe |
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| ZK-NES in Qantas NZ colours at Christchurch on 11 June 2001. Photo : S Lowe |
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| ZK-NES in Origin Pacific colours at Christchurch on 1 April 2003. Photo : S Lowe |
I flew on ZK-NES on the final day of Qantas NZ/Tasman Pacific Airlines operations just hours before the company went bust...sad really.
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