Region
Oceania
code

PNG

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 near Selbang: 28 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1994 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
P2-MFS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tabubil - Selbang
MSN:
187
YOM:
1968
Location:
Selbang
Western (Fly)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Tabubil and a regular schedule flight to Selbang, carrying 26 passengers and two pilots. After passing over Olsobip, the crew encountered poor visibility due to clouds. While flying at an altitude of 6,400 feet in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located about 9 km south of Selbang. The aircraft was destroyed and all 28 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the cloud layer was reported from 4,000 to 10,000 feet.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-20 Islander near Tabubil: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1994 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-SWC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tabubil – Selbang – Bolobip
MSN:
835
YOM:
1977
Location:
Tabubil
Western (Fly)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 54 km southeast of Tabubil. The wreckage was found few hours later and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Mount Hagen

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1993 at 1402 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ISR
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mount Hagen - Kamusi
MSN:
15
YOM:
1968
Location:
Mount Hagen
Western Highlands
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Mount Hagen Airport on a cargo flight to Kamusi, carrying two passengers, one pilot and a load of vegetables. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 100 feet, the engine lost power. At a speed of 50 knots, the pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck the ground, rolled for about 80 metres and collided with rocks. All three occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
No definite conclusion can be reached as to why the aircraft performed so poorly, but from a hypothetical point of view a combination of some of the following could lead to the events that occurred:
1. Substantial inadvertent overload.
2. Mixture excessively rich.
3. Carburettor heat inadvertently selected to hot for takeoff.
4. Aircraft encountered an area of subtle downdraft/downflowing airstream.
5. Propeller controls not set for maximum RPM.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Namatanai

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ALL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
448
YOM:
1975
Location:
Namatanai
New Ireland
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, at a height of about 250 feet, the pilot selected flaps down when the aircraft went unstable, stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. The pilot was injured.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Bank: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-HBE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bank - Mount Hagen
MSN:
815
YOM:
1978
Location:
Bank
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bank Airstrip, while climbing in the Simbai Valley, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and crashed about 5,3 km from Bank Airfield. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft did not have sufficient power to complete a steep climb as expected by the crew. Apparently, the aircraft stalled while completing a last turn due to an insufficient speed. Poor judgment on part of the crew.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-20 Islander in Golgubip: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-SWA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tabubil - Golgubip
MSN:
805
YOM:
1976
Location:
Golgubip
Western (Fly)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
On short final to Golgubip Airstrip, the twin engine airplane banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground and the aircraft crashed 100 metres short of runway threshold. The pilot and a passenger were seriously injured while nine other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the aircraft stalled and rolled to the left on final approach because its speed was insufficient.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-20 Islander on Kiriwina Island

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ISC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
394
YOM:
1974
Location:
Trobriand Islands (Kiriwina Islands)
Milne Bay
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed following an engine failure. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Bambu

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1993 at 0923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-ISF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
281
YOM:
1971
Location:
Bambu
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Bambu Airstrip (runway 410 metres long), the pilot saw the windsock moving but estimated the wind to be relatively calm. While completing the flare, the aircraft was caught by a sudden updraft and landed too far down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and came to rest in bushes. All four occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was written off. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as fine with overcast at 8,000 feet and good visibility below clouds. The Bambu runway has a gradient of 9,25% and is very short. Here, the pilot should initiate a go-around procedure as a safe landing was not possible in such conditions.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander near Alotau: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
P2-MBE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alotau – Bwagaoia
MSN:
194
YOM:
1970
Location:
Alotau
Milne Bay
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Alotau Airport, the pilot followed the published departure procedure for about 17 km when he initiated a turn to the left bound to the northwest, always below clouds. Then, the aircraft entered clouds when, less than two minutes later, it struck the slope of a mountain located some 25 km from Alotau. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirante near Goroka: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante
Operator:
Registration:
P2-RDS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Madang - Goroka
MSN:
110-355
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
GV709
Location:
Goroka
Eastern Highlands
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While descending to Goroka Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 16 km from the airport, near Daulo Pass. Four passengers were seriously injured while 11 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew initiated the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descent below the MDA. Lack of visibility was a contributing factor.
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