Zone
Madang

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Madang

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VH-PNB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madang - Mendi
MSN:
15344/26789
YOM:
1944
Location:
Madang
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Madang to Mendi. While approaching Mendi Airstrip, a failure of the hydraulic system forced the crew to return to Madang for a safe landing. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in a lake. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The hydraulic failure caused the braking system to be inoperable.
Probable cause:
Failure of the hydraulic system.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon off Madang

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1955
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Madang Air Charters
Registration:
VH-AOE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
2058
YOM:
1943
Location:
Madang
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was engaged in a local sightseeing flight, carrying two European tourists and one pilot. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, both engines encountered problems. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the harbor of Madang and came to rest upside down. All three occupants were quickly rescued and uninjured. An attempt to recover the airplane was made on November 8 but it broke in two when it went out of water.
Probable cause:
It was determined that fuel was contaminated by water, causing both engine to malfunction.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Amele

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ASR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Madang – Mendi
MSN:
251
YOM:
1943
Location:
Amele
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the engine failed and the propeller fell away. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Amele, about 16 km southwest of Madang. The aircraft crash landed near the Gogol River and was damaged beyond repair. Both occupants, among them R. H. Gibbes, were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the total weight of the aircraft was 300 pounds above the MTOW.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-145-CO Liberator: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-41188
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2263
Location:
Madang
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a bombing mission when it was attacked by enemy fire and crashed near Madang. Eight crew were killed while four others were taken as POW and later executed by the Japanese soldiers.
Probable cause:
Shot down.
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