code

Enga

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Porgera: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1989
Operator:
Registration:
P2-RDW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mount Hagen – Porgera
MSN:
366
YOM:
1973
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Porgera Airfield, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. Both pilots and a passenger were killed while 19 other occupants were injured.

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

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1972
Operator:
Registration:
VH-MAE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madang - Wapenamanda
MSN:
11917
YOM:
1943
Region:
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 DHC-4 Caribou in Porgera

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A4-202
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
202
YOM:
1964
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Porgera Airfield, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and eventually collided with an embankment. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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 Yarramunda: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mount Hagen – Ogelbeng – Tremearne – Baiyer River – Wabag – Wapenamanda – Yarramunda – Madang
MSN:
6089
YOM:
1934
Location:
Region:
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.