Papua New Guinea | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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 Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

4089

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 Fokker F7b/3m in Kiunga

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Fokker F7

Operator:

Registration:

PK-AFF

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Batavia - Kiunga

MSN:

5188

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest upside down. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Fokker Super Universal in Alexishaven: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Fokker Super Universal

Operator:

Catholic Mission of the Holy Ghost

Registration:

VH-UJT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Alexishaven – Salamaua

MSN:

436

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from Danip Airfield, the single aircraft stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants, among them the pilot Willy Schaffhausen.

Probable cause:

The aircraft was overloaded.

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

Date & Time: May 9, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth

Operator:

Stephens Aviation

Registration:

VH-UJB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Wau – Salamaua

MSN:

334

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Mubo while approaching Salamaua. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all nine occupants were unhurt.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Surprise Creek

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UQS

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Surprise Creek – Port Moresby

MSN:

4019

YOM:

1932

Location:

Surprise Creek (Wai Ungu)

Western (Fly)

Country:

Papua New Guinea

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a prairie, bursting into flames. The pilot E. W. Ditton was injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A in Waipali

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1937

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.50

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UMN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wau – Lae

MSN:

LASCO.1

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight from Wau to Lae, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain and crashed near Waipali. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.