Zone
Morobe

Crash of a De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth in Salamaua

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UJC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
333
YOM:
1929
Location:
Salamaua
Morobe
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, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. The pilot was injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Cargo shifted after take off because it was not properly secured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Black Cat Creek: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
6068
YOM:
1934
Location:
Black Cat Creek
Morobe
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 airplane was performing a cargo flight from Salamaua to Wau, carrying one pilot and supplies to the Black Cat mining area. While approaching Wau, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot Colin Ferguson, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth in Wau

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UQJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
331
YOM:
1932
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A gear failed upon landing at Wau Airport. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing an inaugural flight from Salamaua, carrying mail.
Probable cause:
Gear failure upon landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth in Black Cat Creek

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1934
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UQQ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
4021
YOM:
1932
Location:
Black Cat Creek
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Struck trees and crashed in Black Cat Creek, in the Bitoi Valley, PNG. The pilot E. D. 'Joss' Crisp departed Salamaua for Wau with a load of general stores, beer and spirits. Caught in severe downdraft from an electrical storm in the Bitoi Valley, forced into tree tops. The forward fuselage and cabin broke away and fell 70 feet to the ground, the cargo spilling out of the shattered cabin. Crisp was not injured but was strapped into the remains of the cockpit in the tree tops. Crisp climbed down the trees to the ground to camp in torrential rain and began walking out next day. He was found by a searching ground party the following day.

Crash of an Avro 594 Avian III in Bulolo

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Avro 594 Avian
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UIV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Bulolo
MSN:
193
YOM:
1929
Location:
Bulolo
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the airplane went out of control upon landing and came to rest. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fokker F3 in Salamaua

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F3
Operator:
Pacific Aerial Transport
Registration:
VH-UQF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
1663
YOM:
1922
Location:
Salamaua
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Salamaua Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered engine problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing near the Frisco River. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction caused by faulty maintenance.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.27 in the Kuper Range

Date & Time: May 31, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.27
Operator:
Ellyou Goldfields Development Corporation
Registration:
VH-ULK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
W9/1
YOM:
1929
Location:
Kuper Range
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Salamaua to Wau, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Misim located in the Kuper Range, some 10 km east of Wau. The occupant fate remains unknown.
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