PDA

View Full Version : John Keane crash P2-SEE Bundi PNG


Peter Antonenko
23rd Mar 2021, 00:20
Good Morning

I am a recent visitor to this site and thought I would post some events during my career which continues to this day.

I was flying for Talair from 1977-1979. My initial base was Madang and I did my route & strip checks with Bernie Flanagan Senior Base pilot. I joined at the same time as John Keane and we became good friends. He was based in Goroka and was checked to line by the Chief Pilot Max Parker.

John crashed at Bundi in the Highlands in December 1977 while attempting to land in poor visibility. I was tasked to return his body which was dropped off at a small airstrip in the Markham Valley. I also viewed the wreck at bottom of the ravine at Bundi and according to the missionary in charge there were 11 adults and children killed in the crash. John's body was transported by me to Madang where it was shipped to the mainland.

I still have the control wheel from P2-SE. I would have liked to have contacted his family however I didn't have the details.

tail wheel
23rd Mar 2021, 09:03
The C206 was P2-SEE.

https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/622054-crash-cessna-u206b-p2-see-png-17-12-77-a.html

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/225968 (https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/622054-crash-cessna-u206b-p2-see-png-17-12-77-a.html)

First_Principal
24th Mar 2021, 02:23
FWIW I had a look at various likely databases for John Keane.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find anyone that fitted the circumstances mentioned (i.e. a New Zealander of that name that passed away overseas from non-natural causes late 1977). However this doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't a New Zealander, nor that there isn't other information to be had.

Peter, your desire to contact his family is commendable; if you should find out he is from New Zealand and/or get any further useful information I'd be happy to do whatever I could to locate them for you - please PM me if anything comes to light.

Incidentally I assume you both have the spelling of his name correct? I've various work colleagues whom I know well, but if asked wouldn't be sure of exactly how to spell their names - this could make quite a difference when searching for detail...

canterbury crusader
5th Oct 2021, 09:34
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/9cabc51c_66de_4f89_8a48_86715f12ad50_d95d7ae691d4107e5d392f6 de8bd42e1768810db.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/983d3bc5_3d35_4fd6_b328_54f897b57e55_3f87601e7a62a224269c6b2 9cb77d30e545c62ea.jpeg

First_Principal
5th Oct 2021, 21:12
Thanks CC.

Based on this, and recently updated databases, I now have a possible connection to John Keane's father.

If you'd like to pursue further please PM me.

(Apologies for the cross-post, but given the subject and comments...)

FP.