Sombre trip marks anniversary of Waipukurau glider tragedy

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Banks died after the glider she was in disintegrated in midair and crashed near CHB Aerodrome

A mother from Upper Hutt is making a trip to Hawke's Bay next month to rededicate a memorial plaque for her daughter, who was killed 20 years ago in a gliding accident in Waipukurau.

Schoolgirl Catherine Banks, 16, and 48-year-old instructor Dr Paul Zulver died after their glider nose-dived and disintegrated in midair before crashing near CHB Aerodrome on December 9, 1997.

Catherine was one of 20 cadets attending an Air Training Corps gliding camp at the aerodrome.

Mr Zulver, an English-born doctor and glider pilot had moved to CHB from Canada with his wife and two daughters three years before.

The pair were killed on impact when the glider crashed at about 4.12pm on farmland near the aerodrome on Hatuma Rd.

Catherine's mother, Elizabeth Banks, said other cadets watched in horror as the glider plummeted.

"The glider stalled and then looked as though it was coming out of the stall. But, it didn't. It plunged to earth, disintegrating in the process," Mrs Banks said.

A wooden plaque was erected to honour the pair. But it had since fallen into disrepair, Mrs Banks said.

"I am replacing the wooden plaque with a stainless steel one on December 9, 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of the accident."

Mrs Banks wanted to locate Dr Zulver's widow Geraldine, also a doctor, to inform her of the rededication ceremony.

"I hope that someone may remember Dr Geraldine Zulver and may know of her whereabouts."

She did not hold anyone to blame for her daughter's death and instead felt bad that she had not kept in contact with Dr Zulver's widow.

"Her loss would have been just as great."

Anyone with information on Geraldine Zulver can contact Mrs Banks at banks2110@gmail.com or call (04) 5268204.