PNG crash
 

This attrition rate is surely too much ?
We all know, as professionals that PNG and Nepal are very challenging environments, but surely, there has to be a concerted attempt to mitigate those risks: a combination of enhanced equipment and a committed regulator with teeth might be a good start ?

That picture in the NZ Stuff and Sydney Morning Herald is from a defunct operator of the DC3 in Kenya in the 1980s, also called Sunbird Aviation. It is not from the PNG based Sunbird which has a facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Sunbird-Avi...5154244272129/

PNG crash near Kiunga??
 

Australian pilot thought to be among a dozen killed in PNG plane crash

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-s...ane-crash.html

I think the plane involved may have been an Islander. Not a lot of details at this stage in relation to the crash except it was in the Kiunga area

Twelve in an Islander?

You may be correct, they had two Turbine Islanders originally P2-SBA and P2-SBB. One ended up in the drink at Vanimo?

I think the DC3 photo being used by the media may be Douglas DC-3 5Y-DAK of Sunbird Aviation, Kenya that crashed in 1987.

RIP to the victims. Toughest environment I had ever flown in, with Oksapmin being one of the worst strips up there to get into. Strip itself is ok, however the turbulence can be horrendous in the crafter. Hope he didn't get stuck in the Strickland Gorge like I once did.

Wet season up there yet? Starts at around this time of the year.

Condolences to the families. Having recently gone through the loss in PNG of the pilot in our family our thoughts are with you.

The company oprates BN-2 Islanders.
How do they get 12 bodies from a 10 seat aircraft ?.

Ancient one,Most,(if not all ?) PNG BN2's were fitted with "high density (ie bench type) seating.The idea being most PNG punters were smaller in stature than yur average caucasion,cheers maus

Read that engine failure may be a cause. Never flown a Turbine Islander so wouldn't have a clue on how they are on one engine.

Anyone know?

From memory I once heard a Talair Pilot describe being in that situation. He did not enjoy the experience! Still had the shakes whenever he spoke about it.

As an afterthought, Duck Pilot; Wasn't you perchance?

Been a few stuck in the Strickland George due weather, including an Avdev Islander still there.

But this accident was on final into Kiunga, RW 07/25 is 1,271 meters x 23 meters, 97 feet above sea level, so no shortage of length for a Bongo Van, whether gas or kero.

Babes-in-arms probably... :(

When I was at Ok Tedi an Avdev Islander [Andy Parr] drove into the Hindenberg Wall [~9000ft or so] about 100' from the top. One little girl somehow survived that one.

Sad about this one>>

The terrain around Kiunga is relatively flat and its not a particularly demanding strip, unlike Oksapmin and the "bips" in the highlands. The piston engine Islander is not great on one engine, particularly the 265hp version, can't comment on the turbine one.

Twelve on board is quite possible in PNG with babies and small children, there was a Twin Otter accident with around 28 onboard in the mid 1990s.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Three of the 12 fatalities were children which explains 12 POB

I would like to add my condolences to the friends and family of the victims. PNG is so unforgiving. In time we will hopefully find out why what happened, happened and learn.

I would also like to say how much I miss my friend to the Familyof_LimaRomeo. I flew with LR on many occasions and worked with him at three companies here in PNG. He spoke so highly of his family and loved you all so much....you were always his number one priority and even after all those years sounded like a love struck school boy when talking of his wonderful wife.

In Oz in the 70s I used to fly with a bush pilot in a Cessna 6 seater tail-dragger which he'd previously operated for a while in New Guinea. It was equipped with an under-slung luggage pod. He told me that quite frequently this pod was occupied by two local fellas in addition to a full cabin.