Zone
Jiwaka

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:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Minj - Mendi
MSN:
1840
YOM:
1968
Location:
Mt Giluwe
Western Highlands
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
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 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:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Minj – Mendi
MSN:
252
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kuli
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
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:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Minj – Mendi
MSN:
250
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mendi
Southern Highlands
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
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:
Minj
Jiwaka
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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.
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