ZK-ALC de
Havilland D.H.89B Dragon Rapide
(c/n 6664)
ZK-ALC was another ex-RAF/RNZAF
Dominie, being ex HG665 and NZ529
respectively. It was sold to
Union Airways and thence to NZNAC and was named
'Tiora'. It is seen here at
Auckland in 1949. On 14 January 1950, the aircraft, under
the
command of Captain W.T. Rainbow was about to take off on from Rotorua
on a
scheduled service to Auckland when a sheet of flame from the port
engine ignited the
dry grass
beneath the aircraft. ZK-ALC was destroyed but the pilot and 4
passengers
escaped without injury but lost their baggage.