Mendi | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While approaching Mendi Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain falls. At an altitude of 9,200 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 8 km from the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 20 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain while descending in poor visibility.

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:

Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant

Operator:

Registration:

VH-PNI

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Minj - Mendi

MSN:

1840

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 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

Country:

Papua New Guinea

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 Noorduyn Norseman in Kuli: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

VH-GSC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Minj – Mendi

MSN:

252

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 2,285 meters in bad weather conditions, the single engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located a mile away from Kuli. The wreckage was found two days later and both occupants were killed, the pilot Cpt Desmond J. Gleeson and a native passenger.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman near Mendi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1958

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

VH-GSA

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Minj – Mendi

MSN:

250

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a cargo flight from Minj to Mendi, carrying a load of cement bags. While approaching Mendi, weather conditions deteriorated. The single engine aircraft went through a valley in thunderstorm activity when it struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. The pilot was killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Minj

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

VH-BNT

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Minj – Mendi

MSN:

181

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Minj Airstrip, while in initial climb, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Amele

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

VH-ASR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Madang – Mendi

MSN:

251

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.