Merged: Crash in PNG

[longrass]

Just heard on the wadio that a plane crashed in PNG, anyone hear anything? Apparently the pilot survived and is being evac'd to Australia

[tipsy2]

Have a look at......................

http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/152566-png-ples-bilong-tok-tok-61.html

tipsy

[Wod]

Breaking story here Six die in PNG plane crash | The Courier-Mail (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26539765-952,00.html)



Pilot Richard Leahy survived the crash and has been evacuated to Australia for medical attention, according PNG’s National newspaper.
The aircraft owned by Kiunga Aviation was traveling to the remote Baindoang airstrip before the disaster.

[TBM-Legend]

Hang in there Richard....

We're thinking of you and wish you the best for a speedy recovery..

[Wod]

Updated story here Six die in PNG plane crash | The Courier-Mail (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26539765-952,00.html)

Apparently happened yesterday

[tail wheel]

Family tell me Richard is in a burns unit in hospital in Brisbane. Believe he has a factured spine and burns to 60% of his body.

Aircraft was C185 P2-MJL which Richard has owned for at least 35 years. I'm told he had an engine failure.

[amos2]

The pilot is reported to be 68 yrs of age.
Is this correct?

[tail wheel]

Yes. And flying in PNG for at least 40 years that I know of. ............................

[amos2]

That's far too old.

[living the good life]

Amos your idiot

Do you thing it is his age that caused an engine failure, and in PNG an engine failure is not usually a very survivable thing.

I have flown with many guys of many different ages, and I would be happier putting my family behind a 68 year old with 40 years experience in that environment ahead of a 25 year old with a couple of years experience any day

Best of luck 60% burns are pretty hard to survive, my thoughts are with you!

[Chimbu chuckles]

Sometimes amos2 it just makes more sense to say nothing.

Richard was born in PNG, eldest son of 'Masta' Mick Leahy who, with his two brothers, were the first white men into the highlands in the 1930s. Richard had 11000 hrs in THAT PARTICULAR 185 15 yrs ago - and I believe it is the third 185 he has owned - probably another 20000hrs scattered across numerous other types - he has been flying out to Baindong, Kasanombe, Boang etc every dawn for probably over 30 yrs - he does it like most people breath.

The man is a legend - and one of 'the good guys'.

[Capt Fathom]

Only 68 years of age!

That makes him one of the youngsters these days!

[gobbledock]

Richard knew the terrain better than anybody who has ever flown it,and more experienced in PNG than anybody would imagine.The man is a legend in his own right.
Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

[Unhinged]

Best wishes to an absolute bloody legend. Get well soon Richard.

[Captain Nomad]

There are plenty of people thinking of you Richard. All the best with the healing process...

Personally, I would hate to be the sole survivor of a crash but considering the circumstances (PNG, engine failure, loaded) it is a wonder there is anybody alive at all.

Well done to the evac crews. Sounds like the chopper was quick and accurate in their response.

Amos2 you should really apologize for making such a remark at a time like this. Quite despicable. :=

[tail wheel]

Family tell me the engine stopped "with a thud", news reports an engine fire. Sounds like an engine catastrophic failure and seizure. A helicopter was departing Lae to pick up gold at Eadie Creek and diverted to uplift Richard. That connected with an executive jet which brought Richard to Brisbane.

Don't know where the accident happened but after the engine quit he attempted an approach to a mission strip above 6000 AGL and didn't quite make it.

[swaziboy]

Only met RL once.. great guy... hope to meet him again!!

The 6 pax, was that a seat belt education issue?

[Weapons_Hot]

Met the bloke only on a few occasions - last time in 1987 being head-hunted for the CP's position. Unfortunately, other things transpired and was unable to take the position. Richard is one of the good guys and would have been a pleasure to work for him. Maintenance was and I believe still is foremost with his organisation.

Now - amos2: 68 years of age too old? Maybe, just maybe, when you think about it, it was those 68 years of age that may have saved him (something about experience/age), nothwithstanding the demise of the other occupants.

Amos2, perhaps instead of fawning incredulity with Richard's age, you aspire to attain half his age, half his experience and knowledge, and half of his decency - a worthy goal indeed!

[tipsy2]

Nobody need worry too much about amos, he can never get over that year and still lives it. Sad really.

Trust RL recovers.

tipsy:ok:

[Pinky the pilot]

Only met RL once.. great guy... hope to meet him again!!

What swaziboy said!

Hang in there RL.:ok:

[kela]

Was talking this morning very early with another ex PNG pilot who is now 777 Capt at EK. Baindong Airstrip was a place that having an engine failure departing out of or arriving into was just going to be an absolute nightmare, everything vertical and nothing remotely level to go for. Raised in PNG, and having flown there for 16 years, teaches you a tremendous amount in respect for the difficulties in terrain, weather, people and operational requirements and you learnt never to make any remarks or speculation until the whole incident was investigated, and possibly you were able to hear the details from the actual pilot. PNG taught all of us a huge amount of experience, and each day you fly somewhere else, in Boeings, Airbus or whatever and wherever in the world, you always look back in awe and gratitude of having had the opportunity to work in such a remarkable environment and make some of the best friends in the world. Richard is one of the most generous, intellectual, unassuming experienced PNG pilot, who always stuck by his group of pilots and friends. If ever a person was going to be is a "Spot" you would want to have Richard in the left seat. Hang in there Richard, our thoughts are with you and your family, have a speedy recovery !
Also before I forget, many thanks to David Inau, excellent PNG pilot, ex Defense, and all those others involved for being able to respond so quickly in the evacuation and the whole situation.

[amos2]

You're all missing the point and you can't see that because of your emotional involvement! Start acting like professional, pragmatic captains, which you are supposed to be!

[ad-astra]

Like a petulant child hankering for attention.
Amos2 go away we don't want to listen.

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

amos2, so what age does one give up flying then 21, 35?

Show us the facts on age related accidents you moron or **** off and leave the posting to those that know the pilot and have flown and survived in PNG.

ps don't worry about sending a nasty pm.

[Obie]

Why not try 60? :ok:

[TBM-Legend]

amos2, you'll never be half the man that Richard L. is.

Get a life and play with your train set somewhere else.:ouch:

It is dispicable to think that you or anyone else could attempt to denegrate a fine chap who has only done good for all.

Richard, keep fighting, our prayers and thoughts are with you.

[alisoncc]

Baindong Airstrip was a place that having an engine failure departing out of or arriving into was just going to be an absolute nightmare, everything vertical and nothing remotely level to go for. Raised in PNG, and having flown there for 16 years, teaches you a tremendous amount in respect for the difficulties in terrain, weather, people and operational requirements

Couldn't agree more. Subsequent to my tour in TPNG flew GA in Africa, didn't come even close to terrain of TPNG. For those unfamilar check out the following of the approach to Tapini. The other end of the strip carried on going up.

http://alisoncc.com/nwimages/tapini3.jpg

If you didn't land on the strip you didn't land in one piece anywhere.

[Animalclub]

Richard is a tough bastard... I've been croc shooting with him in the Labu Swamps in the 60s... he scared the living daylights out of me.

[Tidbinbilla]

We are here, and watching! You folks seem to be handling the terminally embittered Amos2/Obie (who is one and the same) pretty well yourselves, and in the manner he deserves :}

Keep up the good work :ok:

TID

[tail wheel]

Couldn't agree more Tids! :ok: I left his post as I knew the troops would sort him out! :}

I'm told Richard had a seven hour operation on his back yesterday and the doctors are pleased with his progress.

Yes you are right Animal. Richard is one tough little bastard, like his father Mick. Whilst I generally agree with Kela's post, not sure I agree with: "...unassuming experienced PNG pilot..." I would think Richard is better known for speaking his mind, than being "unassuming"! :}

[kela]

Yes I do agree Tail Wheel, you have said this correctly, I didn't use proper english - cheers and thank you !

[Nigel Osborn]

As a slight diversion that photo of Tapini brought back a few night mares. About 45 years ago a Caribou decided to demo a short field landing. Unfortunately it landed short of the runway & stopped in about 10 feet! It was even more fun trying to get it out!:ugh:

[relax737]

Good point Tipsy (Post # 19). It does get to be somewhat tedious.

Perhaps amos can tell us all exactly what 68 is too old for.

Amos??? Where are you Amos? You must be one of the few radicals who hasn't deserted for Pirep after being told to pull your head in.

[Storchpilot]

Has Amos ever been to New Guinea and has he flown in that country. Being born and partly growing up there in the highlands, although only flying as SLC, I know what the place can be like. Being caught with an engine failure in a place where emergency landing areas are as common as palm trees in northern Europe, I bet Richard did the best he could in the situation, resulting out of his `old´age and his experience of flying in a country of extremes.
Although I just know Richard by name, I wish him a fast and complete recovery. :ok:

Storch

[Super Cecil]

A bloke makes an equiry about age and flying (albeit uninformed) you lot just keep going on and on. Does it give you more credence if you continue to bag out on him?

[Jenna Talia]

Do a search on amos2's track record and you will see why.

JT

[cutter2]

Did one of the crew of the Caribou, in a latter life have, an Aerobatic school in SYD, if so he now lives in NZ,semi-retired still active flying:)

[HANOI]

Amos2

You would love to know that the famous John Regan is approved in LHS of APNG Dash-8 at the age of 77 years , that's right , 77 years !!!.
Eat your heart out , you miserable little man .

[amos2]

Wot can I say!...It's embarrassing the way the fish are biting!...
and the mods...well, the biggest biters of the lot!

But, If you had half a brain, all of you would realise that age is a factor in aviation safety, and why you try to deny that is beyond me, unless it's for personal gain!...Right?...you all wanna fly until you die?

Hey, get a life!! Do your 40 yrs in aviation successfully, from 20 to 60 like me, move on when it's time, and leave it to the younger guys who don't wanna be suffocated by the the "old farts".

But, then again, you're The New Breed, aren't you?

And it's all about you, isn't it?

Let's see if the mods have the balls to leave this post in situ!

[tanglewood]

Cutter2: no, the fellow you are thinking of wasn't on board - just had to clean up the mess..

[tipsy2]

Let us not pander to amos and be diverted from our concerns for RL.

Ignore he/she/it and concentrate on RL's welfare.

tipsy
:=

[Nigel Osborn]

Cutter2
I've no idea what happened to them afterwards but Tanglewood seems to know.

[Diatryma]

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201001/s2786805.htm (http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201001/s2786805.htm)

Morobe Governor wants crash pilot charged

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Morobe province has accused the pilot of an aircraft which crashed just before New Year of negligence and has called on authorities to charge him with manslaughter. The pilot, Richard Leahy, survived the crash which killed six others, and is recovering in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital.

Presenter: Firmin Nanol
Speakers: Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge , Nick Leahy, son of pilot Richard Leahy

NANOL: A Cessna owned by Kiunga Aviation crashed and killed six passengers - all family members in the Morobe province on December 30th.

They are relatives of Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge.

Governor Wenge claims both the plane and the pilot were too old to fly.

He claims Kiunga Aviation was putting profit first and not the safety of passengers.

Governor Luther Wenge says he would not like to see pilot Richard Leahy's face in Morobe and wants him out of the country.

WENGE: He is thinking so much about making money than the condition of the aircraft. Eventually, crashed and lost the lives, where the people lost their lives. So I think that my people should never be treated like guinea pigs or a bunch of materials. They are human beings, they are human lives, valuable lives like himself and he should have due respect to the lives of the people. So I felt that I think if he is not a national citizen or citizen of Papua New Guinea, I don't think the Papua New Guineans should be treated like that and he should leave the country immediately.

NANOL: The Governor says the pilot, who is suffering severe third degree burns and a spinal injury, should be charged with manslaughter.

WENGE: The pilot, Mr Richard Leahy, he was dealing with an aircraft that was too old and furthermore he has been operating aircraft for so many, many years and he was in the position to know and know well the condition of the aircraft. Yet he was piloting or flying that aircraft, eventually the crash occurred and killing those deceased and he has no excuse, because he is not be carrying the people, or carrying those deceased for free. People have been paying money for some 40 years and he should be in the better position to buy an aircraft much safer, safer than the one he has been flying. It seems to me that he has not checked well the aircraft, he was such a hurry and this thing happened.

NANOL: The pilot's son, Nick Leahy, says the governor's comments are unfair and his father is highly experienced and has trained many local pilots.

He's told the local Post Courier newspaper that Kiunga Aviation is doing its best to talk to and help the immediate relatives of those passengers who died.

He says the airline does not know the cause of the crash until it's established after investigations by the relevant authorities.

LEAHY: The governor's comments in relation to Dad and his aircraft are unfounded, but understandable, because he has had a relative that died in the crash tragically and he's in a state of mourning and we are very sympathetic towards that and we understand his comments in relation in wanting my father to come back to Papua New Guinea to make payment and then leave again are a bit contradictory. At this stage, the air crash investigation is ongoing and so his comments are premature to that and not helpful towards the air crash investigation. We have made contact, we had a meeting with the families of the victims of which he is a relative and everybody's happy and we are here to help as best we can to help the families of the victims.

NANOL: The 68-year-old pilot, Richard Leahy is recovering slowly in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital

He is reported to be in a stable condition.

The aircraft was heading for the remote Baindoang airstrip when it crashed after apparently encountering engine problems.

The pilot was attempting an emergency landing when it crashed, killing all six passengers.

PNG's Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the crash.


:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

[swaziboy]

Yeah, Wenge has a history of being lik lik long long... just like Amos :rolleyes:

By the by, the Post Courier version is a lot more scathing... not cool...

[Jabawocky]

After reading that you have to aske what is he the governor of........ :ugh: moron!

But who am I to criticise my homeland.........well birth place anyway!:{

[...still single]

Sadly, that is probably one of the most coherent blatherings to be issued by Governor Wenge.

The man is always ranting about something, the true purpose of all his hot air is to create a common enemy to rally his people against. Much like Mugabe or Chavez. Any target will do, Australians, Americans, Asians, rascols.

A true oxygen thief.

[frigatebird]

Ah.. the Melanesian Mindset.. who can really work with it and understand it..? They want always to be bos, want it all done for them, contribute little themselves, always cry poor and have a need for 'donations', and 'time off', - and then smack the hand that helps..
Can't be race, - must be the 'environment' and 'Mindset'.. !!
A solution would be to leave 'assistance' in business and communications, to the 'Triads'..

[GADRIVR]

Amos,
Not so much age being a factor but rather the effects of age. A small but important point. It has been proven time and time again that there is no real medical reason as to why an older individual cannot continue to fly as long as they have proven they can come up to the mark.

A few points:

1: I can think of three men that I have had the pleasure of flying with, in Australia, that at the time were all over 65-70 years of age. All had above average/superior flying skills, keen sharp intellects and one particular individual was the world triathlon champion for over 50s ( I think he was in his late 60s or early 70s at that point). Another was in his eighties, again, very impressive, smooth flying skills and an excellent instructor/testing officer.

2. In a Northern European Airforce, it is not uncommon to have men of up to 55 years of age, flying single seat frontline fast jet fighter aircraft facing off against the Russians. Exceedingly fit, sharp men with physiques that are on par with a man half their age!
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.

3. Have also flown with younger blokes in their 20s/30s where it is obvious they won't get to their 60th birthday. Slow reflexes, slow mental processing skills and it aint looking much brighter in their future, thanks to a lack of physical fitness.

So....whats your point and where is the evidence? Just curious.

See mods.........I can be reasonable:E

[Trojan1981]

2. In a Northern European Airforce, it is not uncommon to have men of up to 55 years of age, flying single seat frontline fast jet fighter aircraft facing off against the Russians. Exceedingly fit, sharp men with physiques that are on par with a man half their age!
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.


Chuck Yeager flew fighters until he was 84! No s:mad:t

[Ricky Bobby]

A letter in The National newspaper;

GOVERNER Luther Wenge for Capt Richard Leahy to leave Morobe province and PNG is uncalled for.
Only a proper investigation by CAA will reveal the cause of this fatal accident.
An angry Mr Wenge cannot use his position and emotions to preempt the findings of the investigation.
If Capt Leahy was in for a quick buck as Mr Wenge stated, he would have quit 20 years ago when the fuel price was reasonable and air travel was affordable.
Taking into consideration the current avgas price and unlike national and other provincial government assistance to MAF, he continued to serve your people at a fee barely enough to keep his head above water.
He did it for the love of serving your people and would have continued to do so because leaders like you have failed your rural people by not providing better alternative services.
You should be asking yourself, what motivates a 63 year old man to wake up at 4am at Lae for an hour drive to Nadzab to make early departure to the most remote airstrips in your province before the weather picks up, 6 days a week for the last 20 odd years.
All this did not hinder his passion for serving your rural people.
National pilot,
Port Moresby

[Barry Bernoulli]

From The Australian, 04/08/2007

Mr Wenge told PNG's Post-Courier newspaper he would introduce a new law into parliament ensuring naturalised citizens met certain stricter criteria before they could contest elections. "This is black country, not white country. Power must remain with the indigenous people of this land," Mr Wenge said.

Governer Wenge had just been given a scare in the 2007 elections by PNG naturalised expat Australian Bob Sinclair.

Governer Wenge also bought about the ejection of the Australian Federal Police ECP from PNG.

Draw your own conclusion as to why Wenge wants Captain Leahy out of the country.

[ausflyer]

Sounds to me that Gov' Wenge has a classic case of ................

"mi likim compensation blong mi" (spelling:confused:)

Been many a moon since l last roamed the region. More to the point, how is Richard? Any updates on his recovery would be appreciated. PM's most welcome.

Cheer's,
Aus':ok:

[frigatebird]

Good one, Ricky Bobby.. :D

[Animalclub]

ABC TV news Friday night added a rider to it's comments about the Gov's words on Richard... "he withdrew his statement privately later" whatever privately meant.

[Killer Loop]

I, sadly have (so far) only had the pleasure of meeting RL once. It was at Ambunti (Sepik) in 2005. The weather was **** and I landed first. Ambunti is a pretty straight forward one way strip by Tekin/Tapini et al standards but when the weather is **** in PNG.....well you know. RL joined the circuit 3 minutes after me but the weather had by that stage closed in further. I stood by the plane and looked up and thought how is this guy going to get in? He (RL) just flew square circuits again and again until he had the opportunity....No half arsed attempts to get in, just text book PNG flying. After he landed we had a bit of a chat. I agree with the gentleman that said he was not that unassuming. He decribed how a young pilot came up to try out for a job, was taken to Hagen on a check ride, couldn't fly an NDB to save his life so RL told him to p!ss off! I do hope I get another opportunity to meet you Richard, I have met many people on a single occasion but my chat with you that day sticks in my mind. On another point. Amos, I have to agree with HANOI. I have recently been priviledged to bump into John Regan two or three times in the crew room and have always learnt something but ususally some things.

[Fantome]

Daughter Amanda advises this morning that her dad now out of coma and vital signs all showing improvement. She has extracts of those posts here that were made in good faith, that she will read to her dad.

[the wizard of auz]

WENGE is an idiot with no idea of anything other than theft from the public purse and lining his own pocket. the sooner the public are rid of this racist fool the better off they will be. I'm afraid that Sir.M will keep him about for as long as he can though. :*
Best wishes for a fast recovery Richard. Murray, Your Long lost Rele from Australia wishes you the best as well.

[Waghi Warrior]

Wenge is racist,there is simply no other word to explain his supid remarks,the man has a history of this type of behaviour. The ECP obviously got to close to exposing him and a few of his brothers.

Sir Peter Barter wrote a very interesting artical in one of PNG's newspapers yesterday asking Wenge to justify his coments.

AMOS,I fully understand you are entiltled to an opinion but I must say that to replace a pilot like Richard in this country,isn't as easy as hiring a younger low or even high time pilot with no time in country experience. The company I fly for has hired some very experienced direct entry captains who have never flown up here before,and trying to educate these pilots on the ways how things are done in PNG can be a nightmare. I also must add that the majority of regular domestic PNG passengers get very concerned if they see that there is a young looking captain flying their plane,they feel more safer with older captains up front.

[ausflyer]

Any updates on Richards recovery?
Thanks,
Aus':ok:

[tail wheel]

He is out of intensive care.

[High 6]

Good to hear RL is on the mend.. he is a tough cookie, from the old school and we all pray for his ongoing recovery.

As for Amos.... less said the better, another oxygen thief.