Zone
Enga

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Wapenamanda

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VH-MAE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madang - Wapenamanda
MSN:
11917
YOM:
1943
Location:
Wapenamanda
Enga
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Wapenamanda Airport while on a cargo flight from Madang, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear on landing due to a fractured trunnion at the rear of the undercarriage strut.

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

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1951
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Calibration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mount Hagen – Ogelbeng – Tremearne – Baiyer River – Wabag – Wapenamanda – Yarramunda – Madang
MSN:
6089
YOM:
1934
Location:
Yarramunda
Enga
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a flight from Mount Hagen to Madang with stops scheduled in Ogelbeng, Tremearne, Baiyer River, Wabag, Wapenamanda and Yarramunda, carrying two inspectors from the DCA and one pilot who were performing inspections of various local airfields. While flying in a narrow valley, the pilot elected to gain height when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in flames. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Sydney W. Peebles.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by the inexperience of the pilot who has 6,000 flying hours but little Highlands experience and was restricted by Qantas to the Madang - Goroka route. He took the DCA charter against company regulations and flew the wrong way up a narrowing valley, attempting to out climb rising terrain while throwing passenger's baggage out to reduce the load.
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