Region
Oceania
code

PNG

Crash of a General Aircraft Genairco in Kabakaul: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1933
Type of aircraft:
General Aircraft Genairco
Operator:
Rabaul Airways
Registration:
VH-UNY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kabakaul - Kabakaul
MSN:
12
YOM:
1930
Location:
Kabakaul
East New Britain
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing local joyrides in the area of Rabaul and Kanakaul. While flying over the Rainau Plantation, the pilot Duncan failed to realized his altitude was insufficient. The airplane struck a tall coconut tree and crashed. A passenger was killed while the second passenger was seriously injured. The pilot Duncan escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Poor judgement on part of the pilot who failed to see and avoid a tall coconut tree while completing a joyride at low height.

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 De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Wau: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1932
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UMJ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1372
YOM:
1929
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:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Wau Airport, the pilot attempted aerobatic manoeuvres at low height. He lost control of the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed. Both occupants, pilot Frank Drayton and passenger Lewis Harper were killed.

Crash of a Junkers W.33d in Wau

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.33
Operator:
Pacific Aerial Transport
Registration:
VH-UIW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2575
YOM:
1931
Location:
Wau
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:
Upon landing in Wau, the airplane named 'The Lady Lattie' veered off runway and came to rest into a hangar of the company. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Junkers W.34d in Wampit: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UNR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lae - Bulolo
MSN:
2611
YOM:
1930
Location:
Wampit
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Lae to Bulolo, weather conditions worsened and the crew encountered poor visibility due to mist. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in the jungle. The wreckage was found on 13 August 1931. Both crew members were killed.

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 Junkers W.34 in Wampit

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UJD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2604
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wampit
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:
Upon landing, a gear failed. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Bulolo

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1930
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UHJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wau – Bulolo
MSN:
466
YOM:
1928
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:
On the last segment, while landing, the aircraft was caught by strong winds. The single engine airplane hit the ground, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Caught by strong winds upon landing.

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.

Crash of a Junkers W.34 in Wau

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UGZ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2601
YOM:
1929
Location:
Wau
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:
On final approach to Wau, the aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It appears that the stall was the consequence of an insufficient approach speed.
Subscribe to Papua New Guinea