At 3.27pm on this day, thirty-five years ago - Saturday 30th December 1989, Southland's worst aviation accident occurred when two tourist charter planes collided mid-air over Milford Sound killing seven people.

The collision sent an Air Fiordland Cessna with one pilot and six Japanese tourists on a fatal plunge into the Sound, while the other plane - a Milford Sound Scenic Flights Cessna carrying one pilot and four passengers managed to land safely.

Photo: Southland App

It later transpired that both pilots never saw each other in time to avert the collision.

Following the accident the Transport Accident Investigation Commission made six recommendations for planes operating in Milford Sound, including a minimum requirement for a Milford rating, restrictions of the number of airplane departures, the provision of lifejackets on planes and access to continuous weather updates.