Zone

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson I in Wabag

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BMD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Moresby – Wabag
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A undercarriage collapsed on landing at Wabag Airstrip. The twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Karanka: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1951 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AXL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lae – Wabag
MSN:
2071
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, Captain Frederick G. Barlogie, was performing a cargo flight from Lae to Wabag. En route, he encountered poor conditions with reduced visibility due to smoke haze. The twin engine aircraft was flying at an insufficient height when it hit obstacles and crashed in a wooded area located 5 km from Katanka Airstrip. The aircraft was destroyed and the sole occupant was killed.
Probable cause:
Investigation found that the pilot continued the flight under conditions of reduced visibility in severe smoke haze so that flight in sight of ground could only be maintained at a dangerously low altitude.