code

Western Highlands

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Mount Hagen

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1993 at 1402 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ISR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mount Hagen - Kamusi
MSN:
15
YOM:
1968
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Mount Hagen Airport on a cargo flight to Kamusi, carrying two passengers, one pilot and a load of vegetables. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 100 feet, the engine lost power. At a speed of 50 knots, the pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck the ground, rolled for about 80 metres and collided with rocks. All three occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
No definite conclusion can be reached as to why the aircraft performed so poorly, but from a hypothetical point of view a combination of some of the following could lead to the events that occurred:
1. Substantial inadvertent overload.
2. Mixture excessively rich.
3. Carburettor heat inadvertently selected to hot for takeoff.
4. Aircraft encountered an area of subtle downdraft/downflowing airstream.
5. Propeller controls not set for maximum RPM.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander in Mount Hagen

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
P2-FHP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
168
YOM:
1970
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Cessna 402A near Mount Hagen: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-GKJ
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Port Moresby – Goroka – Mount Hagen
MSN:
402A-0081
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While approaching Mount Hagen Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a wooded mountain. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 300 on Mt Giluwe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1972 at 1032 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-PNI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Minj - Mendi
MSN:
1840
YOM:
1968
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
4067
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 10,250 feet in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the northeastern slope of Mt Giluwe (14,346 feet high). At the time of the accidents, clouds (CB's) were present up to 9,000 feet and the visibility was poor. It was reported that the pilot should follow another route but was off track for unknown reason.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Mount Hagen: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-SBS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
253
YOM:
1958
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet on a cargo flight, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed near the Nebilyer Valley, about 65 km from Mount Hagen. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3m in Baiyer River

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BUU
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7256
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot landed with a high tailwind component. After touchdown, the three engine aircraft veered off the airstrip and struck an embankment. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane came to rest on its belly. There were no injuries among the occupants but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Source & photos:
http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/junkers ju52/junkersju52.html