ZK-NZB. Douglas DC-8-52. c/n 45751-231.

This aircraft was ordered new by Air New Zealand - September 23, 1963

It was built at the Douglas Long Beach plant - 1965

First flown with the test registration - July 13, 1965

Powered by Pratt & Whitney JT3D-3B engines

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-NZB - August 08, 1965

Registered to Air New Zealand Limited, Auckland

Accepted by Air New Zealand at Long Beach - August 10, 1965

Departed Long Beach on the delivery flight to New Zealand (Capt D. G. Keesing) - August 10, 1965

It arrived at Auckland on completion of the non-stop delivery flight of 6,510 miles - August 12, 1965

It operated its first revenue service Christchurch - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - October 03, 1965

This was the airline's first Douglas DC-8 commercial flight to depart Christchurch

This aircraft was destroyed in a training accident at Auckland - July 04, 1966

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - August 08, 1966

To view further details on this accident please click 'HERE' and 'HERE'

ZK-NZB. TEAL Air New Zealand - in the original livery at the Douglas Long Beach plant, June 1965.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1130-168.)

ZK-NZB. TEAL Air New Zealand - in the original livery at Christchurch Airport, circa 1965.

(P. Sheehan Collection Copyright Image 1130-169.)