Merged: APNG Twin Otter Missing
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(1) Never assume it is clear on the other side of a ridge
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I grew up in TPNG and the Gray's were friends of my parents (1957) I was staying with them in Goroka when the Tiger moth accident happened. I was working for TAA in Goroka in 1967 and was at the "ples-balus" when the TALAIR baron flown by Oliver went almost vertical on takeoff before tail sliding into the coffe plantation next to the strip.
Thank you Sharpie for a most comprehensive, and sobering, list.
A couple of edits........
Although he was flying for the Catholic Mission, Vince was not a priest; just a bloke who loved PNG and loved flying. his wife perished with him.
In fact Gavin Craig survived, although one of his passengers perished during the night they spent on the Doma Peaks. the passenger was uninjured, and possibly died of old age.
Fly safe.
A couple of edits........
1978 Nov Father V. Cafarella Cessna 206 -PAX Nr Gembogl Cru
1982 Sep G. Craig Cessna 206 -SEG Nth Doma Peaks Cru
Fly safe.
SIL did a thorough investigation on the engine of MFP at their facility and their findings were confirmed when the results of the recovered EDM System came back from the US. Of course this should have been instigated by the PNG CAA but wasn't.
Grandpa Aerotart
1988 Apr T. Stanton BN2A -CBE Bomai T/o
There are well over 30 pilots on that list (+ 1 FA not on the list) that I knew well. Also think of the unrecorded multiple 100s CFIT/weather related accidents that occurred during wartime operations - just took off and were never seen again and no one went looking - many in bombers with large crew compliments. Apparently the maps were inaccurate and they thought the highest terrain was 10000' - from 10500' up in PNG is just strewn with wartime aircraft. There were still nearly 500 unaccounted for in the 90s.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 19th Aug 2009 at 11:16.
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Thanks Sharpie, for the chance to remember lost friends. A lot of good buddies on that list. Brought back memories of a time when we were all so carefree, drank heaps of SP and lived life to the fullest. It's gonna be a crowded bar when we all get together again. 
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Thanks Sharpie, for the chance to remember lost friends
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Hmmm!
Thanks Sharpie: Well done.
Sobering! indeed it is:
Heres to becoming an old codger!
Chuckles, you say around 500 wrecks! above the 10000ft level? dont mean to drag the thread "off track", but any info to be had from where? very interested.
Rgds.
H/Snort
Sobering! indeed it is:
Heres to becoming an old codger!
Chuckles, you say around 500 wrecks! above the 10000ft level? dont mean to drag the thread "off track", but any info to be had from where? very interested.
Rgds.
H/Snort
Silly Old Git
Sharpie.
Registration correction - Garth was flying VH-KRO, not KBO, Chimbu - Goroka.
I was very fortunate not to be on that aircraft.
1974 Feb G. Stockel Cessna 206 -KBO Nr Daulo Pass Cru
I was very fortunate not to be on that aircraft.
Retired Tiger pilot
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Chimbu Chuckles
I tend to agree about wartime spot heights. Many years in the ols SPAC clubhouse was a wartime chart covering Pom - Oro Bay.
One intersting thing on the chart was the incorrect spot heights along the owen stanley's.
One in particular was Mt Kenevi on the direct track to Gurua, Buna and Gona.
Spot Height of 9,300 ft. The actual height was around 10,500 ft.
On a good day flying around 10.5 you could spot various aircraft types speared into the mountain below 10.5. A number of others were spotted during the search for Patair P166b. Mt Wilhelm also had a few scattered around the upper levels.
A logbook of missing aircraft that was kept in the old Jackson's Control Tower SAR room, was a sobering tome to peruse. There was way over 600 allied aircraft still missing, of which a large number would have of course perished due to enemy action, while many were cfit or water.
fly safe.
One intersting thing on the chart was the incorrect spot heights along the owen stanley's.
One in particular was Mt Kenevi on the direct track to Gurua, Buna and Gona.
Spot Height of 9,300 ft. The actual height was around 10,500 ft.
On a good day flying around 10.5 you could spot various aircraft types speared into the mountain below 10.5. A number of others were spotted during the search for Patair P166b. Mt Wilhelm also had a few scattered around the upper levels.
A logbook of missing aircraft that was kept in the old Jackson's Control Tower SAR room, was a sobering tome to peruse. There was way over 600 allied aircraft still missing, of which a large number would have of course perished due to enemy action, while many were cfit or water.
fly safe.
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George Odgers wrote the two volume Official History of the RAAF in WW2. What I recall was the sobering number of times he mentions words to the effect that the crew were seen to be alive in their life raft after ditching in PNG waters... and never seen again.
In those days, SAR wasn't what it is today.
In those days, SAR wasn't what it is today.
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Another for the list....NCA's first fatalities in 15+ years operating to some of the more interesting strips in PNG.. ASN Aircraft accident IRMA/Britten-Norman BN-2A-20 Islander P2-ISA Bapi Airport (BPD)
29/4/00 Islander P2-ISA at Bapi. Crashed on takeoff killing the pilot (unfortunately I don't have his name as I had left PNG and we never met) and 3 passengers. Even the relatively easy strips can bite
29/4/00 Islander P2-ISA at Bapi. Crashed on takeoff killing the pilot (unfortunately I don't have his name as I had left PNG and we never met) and 3 passengers. Even the relatively easy strips can bite
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Thanks Sharpie.
Several good friends on that list.
Several good friends on that list.
The number of Islander accidents is very disturbing to me as I have many hours on type. Obviously BN2s were a work horse and would have done much of the flying, particularly marginal strips.
Safer in a DHC8 well above MSA with an IFR approach into a decent airport.
Safer in a DHC8 well above MSA with an IFR approach into a decent airport.
That ASN list does not show the civil Caribou that was unsuccessfully dead sticked on a river killing the two on board. The F/O was a woman from Mackay,, Lavers. Have an idea the year was round 1990, give or take.
This it?
TW
This it?
1995 Jul J. Rydstrom DHC4A Caribou -VTC Nr Kiunga Cru
Silly Old Git
1970 Dec G. Dennis Cessna 206 -GKN Nr Porgera Cru
1972 Sep P. Arnold Shorts SC7 Skyvan -PNI Mt. Giluwe Cru
1974 Feb G. Stockel Cessna 206 -KBO Nr Daulo Pass Cru
Nearly got our Torres
Ghost story about Garth regarding staff (orli) seeing a big red haired Talair pilot in TAL POM office?
1973 Dec R. B. Smith Cessna 206 -MKK Mt. Sarawaket Cru
1973 Dec R. J. Smith Cessna 206 -MKK Mt. Sarawaket Cru
1973 Dec R. J. Smith Cessna 206 -MKK Mt. Sarawaket Cru
They never found the camera.