code

New Ireland

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Namatanai

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ALL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
448
YOM:
1975
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, at a height of about 250 feet, the pilot selected flaps down when the aircraft went unstable, stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. The pilot was injured.

Crash of a Cessna 402A off Malekolon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-GKG
Survivors:
No
MSN:
402A-0070
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On approach to Malekolon Airstrip, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea and sank. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Emirau: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1945 at 0707 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4607
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
6205
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft banked left, hit the ground and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (21st Squadron):
W/Cdr Andrew Henderson,
F/Lt Alexander Baxter,
F/Lt Arthur Lambie,
F/Sgt William Torkington.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Lelet Plateau: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4613
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Emirau - Rabaul
MSN:
6268
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew left Emirau Airport on a bombing mission to Rabaul. Following a uneventful mission and while returning to its base, the twin engine aircraft crashed in the Lelet Plateau. The wreckage was found in November 1945 only. All six crew members have been killed.
Crew (8th Squadron):
F/O Norman Benton,
F/Sgt James Cunneen,
F/Sgt Robert Buchanan,
W/O Chris Jeffares,
F/Sgt James Mallett,
Sgt Norman Merfield.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Kavieng: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-11
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kavieng - Kavieng
MSN:
279
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in a reconnaissance flight in the region of Kavieng, New Ireland. Shortly after take off from the Kavieng's Bay, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control, crashed and sunk immediately in deep water. All eight occupants were killed.
Crew (11th Squadron):
S/L Tom Davies, pilot,
P/O Russell Hender, copilot,
Cpl Harry Hornby, flight engineer,
LAC Leslie Hoare, flight engineer,
LAC Fred Anthony, wireless operator,
LAC Brian Wilcox, wireless operator,
LAC John Marks, armourer,
LAC C. Ogilvie, rigger.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.86B Express off Kavieng

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UYW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2361
YOM:
1936
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed into the sea off Kavieng. No casualties.