Zone
Morobe

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Wau: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1943 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-38658
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Wau
MSN:
6041
YOM:
1942
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Port Moreby-7 Mile Drome at 0920LT on a supply mission to Wau, carrying five crew members and a load of ammunition and equipment. On approach to Wau, it was attacked by Japanese fighter and after passing over the Bulolo River, it crashed in hilly terrain located south of Wau Airfield. All five crew members were killed. The wreckage was found in September 1988.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert H. Schwensen, pilot,
1st Lt Henry W. Sherman, copilot,
Cpl Emil W. Erickson, flight engineer,
Pvt Clifford J. Fawn, radio operator,
Pfc Edward G. Piekutowski, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Ford 5 in Wau

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Ford 5
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UTB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
5-AT-068
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:
Shortly after takeoff from Wau Airport, the right engine failed. The airplane banked right, lost height and crashed in a river located near the airfield. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The airplane was performing a cargo flight, carrying a load of wood.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after takeoff due to the failure of the right engine.

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

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1940
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
6080
YOM:
1934
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
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:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Ray J. P. Parer
Registration:
VH-AAZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
4089
YOM:
1934
Location:
Black Cat Creek
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:
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:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wau – Lae
MSN:
9669
YOM:
1936
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:
1
Circumstances:
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
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
131
YOM:
1925
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing. Occupant faite unknown.

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

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UQJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
331
YOM:
1932
Location:
Wau
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:
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)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1372
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
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:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2575
YOM:
1931
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:
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.
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