Wau | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Schedule:

Bulolo – Wau

MSN:

1074

YOM:

1929

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Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the single engine airplane landed hard at Wau Airport. The pilot was uninjured and the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair after cracks were found in the rear fuselage spars.

Probable cause:

Hard landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon II in Wau: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1940

Type of aircraft:

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Registration:

VH-URW

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Site:

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

6080

YOM:

1934

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On final approach to Wau, the twin engine aircraft was too low following a poor judgement on part of the pilot. He attempted to initiate a go around and increased engine power but the aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a dense wooded area near the airport. The pilot and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
Ron E. Doyle.

Probable cause:

Poor judgement on part of the pilot.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in the Black Cat Range

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Ray J. P. Parer

Registration:

VH-AAZ

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Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

4089

YOM:

1934

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The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Salamaua to Wau, carrying five bags of rice and two oil drums. Too low over the Bitoi Valley, the aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a dense wooded area located in the Black Cat Range. The pilot W. Forgan Smith walked away in a thick forest for few days before finding help.

Probable cause:

Pilot's accident report to DCA: "I tried to regain height after a downdraft by zig-zagging up the valley because there was not enough room to turn. I had full throttle, the trees were getting closer and closer and the nose higher and higher until the machine stalled. I throttled back and hoped for the best. I hit the trees and got out. I walked to the river but there was a big waterfall which I could not get up, so I walked down the river in the other direction."

Crash of a Stinson SR-7B Reliant in Wau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-7 Reliant

Operator:

Registration:

VH-URC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wau – Lae

MSN:

9669

YOM:

1936

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The pilot was completing a cargo flight from Wau to Lae and initiated the takeoff roll in limited visibility due to fog. After liftoff, the aircraft struck a house at full power and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the owner of the house was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A in Wau

Date & Time: May 28, 1936

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.50

Operator:

Pacific Aerial Transport

Registration:

VH-UEK

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De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth

MSN:

131

YOM:

1925

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Crashed on landing. Occupant faite unknown.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth in Wau

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1935

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Registration:

VH-UQJ

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Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

331

YOM:

1932

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A gear failed upon landing at Wau Airport. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing an inaugural flight from Salamaua, carrying mail.

Probable cause:

Gear failure upon landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Wau: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1932

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UMJ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

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MSN:

1372

YOM:

1929

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Shortly after takeoff from Wau Airport, the pilot attempted aerobatic manoeuvres at low height. He lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed. Both occupants, pilot Frank Drayton and passenger Lewis Harper were killed.

Crash of a Junkers W.33d in Wau

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1932

Type of aircraft:

Junkers W.33

Operator:

Pacific Aerial Transport

Registration:

VH-UIW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2575

YOM:

1931

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Upon landing in Wau, the airplane named 'The Lady Lattie' veered off runway and came to rest into a hangar of the company. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairey IIIF in Wau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1932

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Registration:

J9792

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors: