Salamaua | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

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:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

6068

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Salamaua – Wau

MSN:

4021

YOM:

1932

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.