Talair Baron P2-GKP

[robstitt]

I noted an old reference to the loss of P2-GKP in a thread on this site. I was in PNG at the time and one of our people, a young female nutritionist, was lost with the pilot and four other passengers, including the regional health officer, Tom Gaunede. I went out on the search in an Islander and Baron P2-GKR - nothing was found. Does anyone have any information on the circumstances, real or rumoured?

I also noted Malcolm Hawkes and Brian O'Sullivan in the fatal loss listing, both of whom I knew. At one point I was going to join Talair and learn to fly while working in their Mt Hagen office. Perhaps it's just as well my plans changed.

Thanks for any feedback.

Robert Stitt
PNG March 1977-November 1978

[Grogmonster]

Robert,

There is a thread in this forum that may help if you post your request there!!

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

Groggy

[cac_sabre]

GKP was a C402
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/152566-png-ples-bilong-tok-tok-106.html

[chimbu warrior]

According to Volume III of Balus, by James Sinclair, the original P2-GKP was a Baron that disappeared between Gurney and Kiriwina in 1975. No trace was ever found, however it was believed to be a weather-related accident.

As Sinclair's research was excellent, I have no reason to doubt this theory.

[cac_sabre]

note to self never fly in a GKP!

[Torres]

That section of Balus was based on my research. Memory is getting a bit dim - GKP was a Baron flown by John Fox, a nice mixed race guy. His widow lives on Horn Island. I believe the Health Department staff "a young female nutritionist, was lost with the pilot and four other passengers, including the regional health officer, Tom Gaunede" were passengers on GKP with John.

There is probably an accident report somewhere but from memory the pilot probably ran out of options when the weather closed in and air strips closed in the Milne Bay region. I think he departed from Port Moresby and would not have had fuel to return.

You may have been in Mt Hagen when Baron P2-GKS went missing out of either Mt Hagen or Mendi. A girl was killed during the search when she walked into an Islander propeller at Mt Hagen.

Brian O'Sullivan was working for Douglas, I think as Chief Pilot? He was flying a Nomad at the time of his death in the Goilala region. I don't recall what Mal Hawkes was flying, was it GKS perhaps?

Did you work in the Mt Hagen travel office in town?

[chimbu warrior]

Torres you are confusing two separate accidents there.

GKS was lost in the Tomba in early '79, flown by Mal Hawkes.

The girl who walked into the prop of the Islander at Hagen was Kerry Foley, sister of Chris Foley who was Talair MDU manager and seated in the RH seat of the Islander. They were participating in the search for P2-GKN, which crashed in the Tari Gap on 19th July 1980, and was flown by Ray Hoffman. A very sad weekend for all.

[robstitt]

Thanks everyone.

It was definitely Baron GKP and they departed from Alotau/Gurney. I arrived in March 1977 so it had to have been lost after that rather than in '1975'. I recall something about a wheel being found in the water but it's a long time ago now. I visited the young woman's parents when I got back to the UK - so very sad.

Am fairly sure Malcolm was in a C402 when he was lost - I remember how pleased he was that he had been 'promoted' out of Alotau and was moving off the Islander and onto the Cessna twin.

Yes, Brian was chief pilot for Douglas at the time - he and I flew back to Moresby from Ok Tedi in a Nomad once in the most amazing sunset I have ever seen.

I never did work for Talair - was offered a job with them in Hagen but other opportunities came along.

Did any of you know Ron Buchanan? He flew Twin Otters for Talair on a seasonal basis, flying as a birddog pilot on Aerostars with Conair during the BC summer months. He passed away a few years ago

Grogmonster: Since this thread seems to be working out, I'll stay with it.

Thanks, again.

Robert

[Torres]

Everyone knew Ron, the life of any party. Ron attended our Talair reunion on the Sunshine Coast a few years ago. His demise was very sad.

I don't recall the year GKP, pilot John Fox and the health Department staff were lost but that is the same accident.

Game man flying with Brian. :E I seem to recall he was married to John Guise daughter?

[robstitt]

All I can add is that it took place some time after August 1977 when I stopped recording captions for photos I had taken. I have a few photos of the search including our search Baron GKR during a break at Kiriwina. I would guess it was late 1977.

I think your are correct about Brian's wife.

Robert

[Graham Hawkes]

Hi all , Malcolm Hawkes was in a Barron reg GKS and went down on route from Mt Hagen to Tari , went down around Tomba Gap with Sam Brookes as his passenger on the 18 May 1979, I have his log books from the day he started flying in May 1967 with the entry on the day before he died and filled in flying Barron GKS & GKN on the 17th , what a great find just recently for my Sister , Cheryl and I to now have , three log books in total with over 3,300 hours , if any one has a pic of GKS or Malcolm would they let me know .Thank You

Its was nice to hear from Rob saying ( I remember how pleased he was that he had been 'promoted' out of Alotau and was moving off the Islander and onto the Cessna twin.)
Thank You Graham Hawkes
[email protected]

[AussieO2]

I have a note re P2-GKS, Beechcraft 95-C55 Baron, c/n TE-74, the accident date listed is 18 May 1979. P2-GKP, Beechcraft 95-C55 Baron, c/n TE-383, date of accident is listed as 25 October 1977.

[Bob Morane]

In reference to Brian O'sullivan, his fatal accident happened in Manari
Landed too long and tried to do a Go Around after touch down in a Nomad, P2 DNL I think it was. That was Dec 1979!
Manari is a one way strip, one of the 5 strips known as the ( jungles ) That was
PNG worst accident until the recent DASH 8 accident in terms of fatalities.

[Capt Fathom]

I thought there was livestock on the strip that precipitated that go around!

Livestock was a precious commodity (to the locals) to be avoided...sometimes with fatal consequences!

[Pinky the pilot]

My old Douglas 'bible,' the one-way strip book is a few thousand miles away at present but re Menari, I seem to remember that you were committed
to land as soon as you turned final and I still recall being told most emphatically never to attempt a go-around.

The exact circumstances of the Nomad crash there was told to me when I was with Dz but I do not care to post it here. If memory serves correctly the accident is described in the Balus book volume 2 or 3. Unsure at present.

[descol]

Pinky - where would I find the Balus Book
I know Brian in those days long ago and would be interested in what the Book says
Descol - Dublin

[robstitt]

Pinky,

I too would be interested in what the book says and anything you care to share from your knowledge. I'm at: robstittATbrookhouseDOTbcDOTca.

I never saw the 'balus' books but understand they are terrific, 'must haves' for any of us who flew or traveled by light aircraft in PNG during that time.

Just did a search and the books are obviously collectables although they were originally expensive as I recall . There are three volumes of 'Balus, the aeroplane in Papua New Guinea', typically going for $300 each.

Rob

[Graham Hawkes]

Hi all, I have copies of the Balus vol 3 but because of our brother Malcolm Hawkes being in it we will not be letting them go , but if anyone wants I can scan and email a specific part / subject of the book to them . just send me your email and what you want to [email protected]
They are publish be Robert Brown & Associates (QLD) Pty . Ltd 7 Atherton Street Buranda QLD 4102 Australia. Distributed in PNG by Gordon & Gotch (PNG) Pty Ltd , PO BOX 107 Boroko PNG , all from the inside of the front cover, If these people are still in business the PNG people could be the best to call or write to , GUYS THE BOOK IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT .

[TOMCANON]

I noted an old reference to the loss of P2-GKP in a thread on this site. I was in PNG at the time and one of our people, a young female nutritionist, was lost with the pilot and four other passengers, including the regional health officer, Tom Gaunede. I went out on the search in an Islander and Baron P2-GKR - nothing was found. Does anyone have any information on the circumstances, real or rumoured?

I also noted Malcolm Hawkes and Brian O'Sullivan in the fatal loss listing, both of whom I knew. At one point I was going to join Talair and learn to fly while working in their Mt Hagen office. Perhaps it's just as well my plans changed.

Thanks for any feedback.

Robert Stitt
PNG March 1977-November 1978

_________________________

Hi Robert,

Thank you for this. You wouldn't know just how much these stories mean so much to me. I am the youngest son of 'the regional health officer, Tom Gaunede'. In my search, I have discovered that there isn't any proper records accounting this particular story of the missing plane. Please contact me if you are able to on mobile # 675 75459858. I'm interested to know more.

[Flingwing47]

If anybody would like more information about the Nomad crash at Menari please message me.

[robstitt]

Hello 'Tom':

You can reach me via the email address in posting #17.

Robert