Tropicair PNG - Aircraft Hi-jacked today 26th Nov - in progress

[Mumbai Merlin]

It's ONLY a rumour BUT ….

The Tropicair aircraft, most likely a C208 caravan was Hi-jacked between Kandrian and Gasmata.

Not many options out there but according to PNG Facebook, armed guard are at Hoskins Airport, further details as they become known.
Second hi-Jacking for Tropicair; the now sold C90 P2-DRS (now VH-ILQ) five or six years ago. Most robberies in PNG are "inside jobs"

[Mumbai Merlin]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/891607714270940/permalink/2446514575446905/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/891607714270940/permalink/2446514575446905/)

No longer a rumour !

[Office Update]

'Armed men' hijack Papua New Guinea plane, steal baggageTropicair spokesman said the Captain of the plane was not harmed in the incident. -







KOKOPO, Papua New Guinea: A charter airline in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday said armed men hijacked one of its planes, forced the pilot to fly to an unused airstrip before making off with the cargo.
Tropicair told AFP that eight armed men approached the plan as it was refuelling in Gasmata, on the island of New Britain and forced him to take off.
A company spokesman said there were no other passengers on board.




“Upon arrival at the airstrip, the armed men stole the baggage and cargo that was on board the aircraft and fled the area,” Matthew Brutnall said.
“The Captain was not injured during this event and the aircraft was not damaged” and has since been returned to Port Moresby.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary confirmed they are now investigating the incident.--AFP

[Duck Pilot]

Remember doing a proving flight on Saab 340 a few years ago from Lihir to POM with the aircraft transiting to TSV. The 340 was loaded up with gold, crew dropped me off in POM, no security nothing, told the ground handler (PX) to turn the aircraft around immediately as it’s got some lollipops on board. In usual PNG style, time didn’t mean anything! Eventually got away without incident. It would have been a sitting target if the raskols knew that there was a few million worth of gold on board.

[Mumbai Merlin]

Aircraft involved was C208B Caravan, registered -- P2-BEN