Zone
Morobe

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 1 off Lae: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1951 at 0907 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover
Operator:
Registration:
VH-EBQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Wau – Bulolo – Lae
MSN:
5003
YOM:
31
Location:
Lae
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
200
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft left Bulolo at 0835LT bound for Lae. 31 minutes later, while approaching Lae Airport, the pilot informed ground about his position over the mouth of Markham River. While flying in a visibility of two miles due to rain falls, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in to the Huon Gulf, about four miles south of Lae Airport. Some debris were found around noon and all seven occupants were killed, among them the pilot Captain J. W. Spiers.
Source:
http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/drover/drover.htm
Probable cause:
The initial finding of investigation by DCA and QEA was a pilot error in that he continued the flight under VFR into reduced visibility in low cloud and rain. The wreckage salvaged included the centre propeller which was missing blade. This was assumed to be caused by the impact with the sea. However, after the ditching of VH-DHA on 16APR1952, renewed investigations revealed that the missing centre propeller blade had suffered a structural failure and broke away in flight, causing the engine to pull out of its mounting and the pilot to lose control of the aircraft that crashed into the sea.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Bulolo

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1949
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-GAV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lae – Bulolo
MSN:
4047
YOM:
1933
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bulolo, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The pilot (Captain R. C. T. 'Dick' Burt) made a forced landing but the aircraft struck a rock outcrop near Bulolo known to pilots as The Pimple. The aircraft was written off while both occupants survived.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414-56 Hudson IIIA in Lae: 37 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ALA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lae – Bulolo
MSN:
414-6460
YOM:
1942
Location:
Lae
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
33
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lae-Nadzab Airport, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed on an island located in the Markham River, south of the airport. All 37 occupants were killed. It was determined that all passengers were local farmers that were seating in the main cabin without seat or seat belt. Worst accident involving a Lockheed Hudson.
Probable cause:
Investigations stated that the total weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was not over the MTOW and the exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Bulolo

Date & Time: May 24, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AYD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cargo flight from Lae, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to make an emergency landing. The twin engine aircraft came to rest in a field located near Bulolo and was damaged beyond repair. Both crewmen were unhurt.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Bulolo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AKH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lae - Bulolo
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While descending to Bulolo Airport, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and was destroyed. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Wau

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1941
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ULJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bulolo – Wau
MSN:
1074
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 an Avro 594 Avian III in Bulolo

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Avro 594 Avian
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UIV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Bulolo
MSN:
193
YOM:
1929
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the airplane went out of control upon landing and came to rest. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Junkers W.34d in Wampit: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UNR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lae - Bulolo
MSN:
2611
YOM:
1930
Location:
Wampit
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Lae to Bulolo, weather conditions worsened and the crew encountered poor visibility due to mist. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in the jungle. The wreckage was found on 13 August 1931. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Bulolo

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1930
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UHJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wau – Bulolo
MSN:
466
YOM:
1928
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On the last segment, while landing, the aircraft was caught by strong winds. The single engine airplane hit the ground, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Caught by strong winds upon landing.
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