Merged: Milne Bay Crash
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 942
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From: dubai
Yes very sad indeed.
Who was actually at the controls of the aircraft, as it seems there were 3 aviators on board?
No I am not trying to point any fingers in any way, shape or form. Just curious.
There but for the grace of God go all of us.
Who was actually at the controls of the aircraft, as it seems there were 3 aviators on board?
No I am not trying to point any fingers in any way, shape or form. Just curious.
There but for the grace of God go all of us.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
From: THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
Good old Centaurus gives his usual informed detail ... this time on escape provisions . Thanks John.
Please don't think this little unrelated story in way makes light of any of the foregoing heartfelt tributes to Les and the others and of what happened to them that terrible day at Misima. (Think Les. Think irrepressible humour)
So purely an aside about judicious use of the crash axe . . . . . . one there was an F27 skipper name of Toby (rest his soul)
When the hostie said the dunny door was jammed shut with a passenger therein trapped , Tobe came back with axe in hand and called to the one within "STAND BACK" . . and with a few mighty swipes cleaved two vertical cuts to lay open the door. Tobe's entry in the 14-1 (the company maintenance log . . 'the tin book') simply read 'Toilet door U/S'.
Please don't think this little unrelated story in way makes light of any of the foregoing heartfelt tributes to Les and the others and of what happened to them that terrible day at Misima. (Think Les. Think irrepressible humour)
So purely an aside about judicious use of the crash axe . . . . . . one there was an F27 skipper name of Toby (rest his soul)
When the hostie said the dunny door was jammed shut with a passenger therein trapped , Tobe came back with axe in hand and called to the one within "STAND BACK" . . and with a few mighty swipes cleaved two vertical cuts to lay open the door. Tobe's entry in the 14-1 (the company maintenance log . . 'the tin book') simply read 'Toilet door U/S'.
Eidolon
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 62
From: Some hole
Originally Posted by doubleu-anker
Who was actually at the controls of the aircraft, as it seems there were 3 aviators on board?
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 900
Likes: 26
From: The Wild West... and Oz
Les was PIC, and Kelby was Co-Pilot.
Darren was to fly with Les on the return leg.
Kelby was saved by locals smashing cockpit window with a log (window may already have been cracked) and pulling him out. By then the plane was burning.
There is already a fair bit of rubbish getting reported in the local media, but this was from eye-witnesses early the next day.
Darren was to fly with Les on the return leg.
Kelby was saved by locals smashing cockpit window with a log (window may already have been cracked) and pulling him out. By then the plane was burning.
There is already a fair bit of rubbish getting reported in the local media, but this was from eye-witnesses early the next day.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Oz Trailer
Who was actually at the controls of the aircraft, as it seems there were 3 aviators on board?
Les was PIC, and Kelby was Co-Pilot.
Darren was to fly with Les on the return leg.
Kelby was saved by locals smashing cockpit window with a log (window may already have been cracked) and pulling him out. By then the plane was burning.
There is already a fair bit of rubbish getting reported in the local media, but this was from eye-witnesses early the next day.
Darren was to fly with Les on the return leg.
Kelby was saved by locals smashing cockpit window with a log (window may already have been cracked) and pulling him out. By then the plane was burning.
There is already a fair bit of rubbish getting reported in the local media, but this was from eye-witnesses early the next day.
Once all the facts are out - I sincerely hope some lessons will be learned.....so this disaster and loss of life will not be repeated.
Such a pointless waste.
TB
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 900
Likes: 26
From: The Wild West... and Oz
"This may all be true but proves nothing."
Wasn't meant to prove anything, but Darren was not flying the aircraft. I know, because I know the peolpe involved, and talked to Darren early that morning, and he told me what he had planned. I had not long landed at POM that afternoon when I watched it taxi out and depart.
There is now some doubt about locals pulling Kelby from the plane. Window was already broken, cracked, or he was able to smash it, and he got himself out. Regardless he is very lucky.
Why it crashed is basically known, but the full details will come out in time.
Tragic waste, huge loss to the local industry, sad for all concerned.
Wasn't meant to prove anything, but Darren was not flying the aircraft. I know, because I know the peolpe involved, and talked to Darren early that morning, and he told me what he had planned. I had not long landed at POM that afternoon when I watched it taxi out and depart.
There is now some doubt about locals pulling Kelby from the plane. Window was already broken, cracked, or he was able to smash it, and he got himself out. Regardless he is very lucky.
Why it crashed is basically known, but the full details will come out in time.
Tragic waste, huge loss to the local industry, sad for all concerned.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Oz Trailer
With all due respect Mike - you don't know he wasnt at the controls when it crashed.
Anyway as you say full details will come out in time and it will then be known.
You say "Why it crashed is basically known." Really - any chance you could enlighten us?
TB
Anyway as you say full details will come out in time and it will then be known.
You say "Why it crashed is basically known." Really - any chance you could enlighten us?
TB
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 380
Likes: 7
From: Various
Tuna,
Why all the pushy questions ? I for one would like to know all the details as well,just like everyone else. Be rest assured any hardcore answers,true or untrue in relation to your direct questions posted on this forum,will be splashed over every newspaper in Australia tomorrow. It's already happen before in relation to this accident,even with photos.
Until the investigation is completed lets just sit on our hands ay.
I just hope the young pilot who survived can get through this painful experience,and move on with his life and career without it destroying him.
Why all the pushy questions ? I for one would like to know all the details as well,just like everyone else. Be rest assured any hardcore answers,true or untrue in relation to your direct questions posted on this forum,will be splashed over every newspaper in Australia tomorrow. It's already happen before in relation to this accident,even with photos.
Until the investigation is completed lets just sit on our hands ay.
I just hope the young pilot who survived can get through this painful experience,and move on with his life and career without it destroying him.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Oz Trailer
Tuna,
Why all the pushy questions ?
Why all the pushy questions ?
in relation to your direct questions posted on this forum
I suggest you re-read my previous posts and ONE question I have asked in this forum...it shouldn't take you too long.....
Sorry if I've offended anyone but it seems to me some contributors have a blinkered view of things at times like this....
TB
Last edited by TunaBum; 12th September 2010 at 12:56.
Check Attitude
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
DX Wombat
Yes, some bravery of the rescuer, identified here
and here
The Citation is a pressurised aircraft, almost impossible to kick a windscreen out. not so hard to knock it inwards, as this rescuer did.
Yes, some bravery of the rescuer, identified here
A teen hero has told of pulling a Kiwi plane crash survivor from the wreckage minutes before it exploded.
Pilot Kelby Cheyne, 25, was the only survivor of a Transair crash on a Papua New Guinea island that killed four Australian men and one New Zealander.
Trainee carpenter Henson Jasper, 19, told the Herald on Sunday he saw the plane crash during torrential rain about 3.30pm.
"When the plane came in to land at the airstrip I saw the smoke," the Misima Island local said in halting English. "The left wing was on fire and I saw the wing explode.
"I just ran down and saw the plane. I stood and looked in and the people were calling."
He said the windscreen was cracked so he smashed it with a branch. "I pulled the pilot from the plane. He was panicked. I was talking to him and he couldn't answer me.
"I carried him out and put him lying down.
"I went back to help the others but I couldn't, because when I turned back the plane was exploded," he said.
He said other villagers helped him carry Cheyne into an ambulance.
He visited Cheyne in hospital. "I asked him 'do you remember me?' He answered me, 'I still remember you - thank you very much'."
Cheyne grew up in Dunedin and Twizel before moving to Australia in his teens. After the rescue, he was flown to Australia and has now been discharged from Townsville Hospital in northern Queensland.
Pilot Kelby Cheyne, 25, was the only survivor of a Transair crash on a Papua New Guinea island that killed four Australian men and one New Zealander.
Trainee carpenter Henson Jasper, 19, told the Herald on Sunday he saw the plane crash during torrential rain about 3.30pm.
"When the plane came in to land at the airstrip I saw the smoke," the Misima Island local said in halting English. "The left wing was on fire and I saw the wing explode.
"I just ran down and saw the plane. I stood and looked in and the people were calling."
He said the windscreen was cracked so he smashed it with a branch. "I pulled the pilot from the plane. He was panicked. I was talking to him and he couldn't answer me.
"I carried him out and put him lying down.
"I went back to help the others but I couldn't, because when I turned back the plane was exploded," he said.
He said other villagers helped him carry Cheyne into an ambulance.
He visited Cheyne in hospital. "I asked him 'do you remember me?' He answered me, 'I still remember you - thank you very much'."
Cheyne grew up in Dunedin and Twizel before moving to Australia in his teens. After the rescue, he was flown to Australia and has now been discharged from Townsville Hospital in northern Queensland.
Misima Island hero Henson Jasper, a trainee carpenter in his early 20s, heard screams and ran into the wreckage and dragged the pilot to safety moments before the jet exploded into flames.
"He risked his own life to save the pilot," said Misima guest house worker Eli Uda.
She said the jet speared into a stand of coconut trees at the end of the rain-affected runway before bursting into flames.
"Everyone in the village ran towards the crash site as soon as we heard the plane hit," Ms Uda said. "Henson was one of the first on the scene and hearing cries for help ran in and dragged the pilot to safety.
"But then the plane exploded and caught into flames.
"He tried to turn back and save the rest but the fire was too fierce. He could not go back."
She said everyone in the tiny island community was deeply saddened by the tragedy on their doorstep.
"He risked his own life to save the pilot," said Misima guest house worker Eli Uda.
She said the jet speared into a stand of coconut trees at the end of the rain-affected runway before bursting into flames.
"Everyone in the village ran towards the crash site as soon as we heard the plane hit," Ms Uda said. "Henson was one of the first on the scene and hearing cries for help ran in and dragged the pilot to safety.
"But then the plane exploded and caught into flames.
"He tried to turn back and save the rest but the fire was too fierce. He could not go back."
She said everyone in the tiny island community was deeply saddened by the tragedy on their doorstep.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Oz Trailer
Great effort by the youngster. Hope he isn't traumatised by the event and hope he gets the recognition he deserves - it sounds like he did everything possible.
No- what I am saying is I don't "know" and I'm willing to keep an open mind and wait for the facts to be reported.....
TB
Are you suggesting that someone other than Les was in the Pilot seat.
TB
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: on the edge
No- what I am saying is I don't "know"
What more is there to "know"
Other than that are you suggesting that as PIC, Les was sitting in the back and the marine pilot was at the controls.
Or Dazza was at the controls with Kirby as PIC, Les in the back and the marine pilot sitting on Dazzas lap.
BH
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Oz Trailer
Blackhand if you are happy just knowing the Les was PIC then good for you.
As for the rest of your questions, I am not going to enter into a conversation on a public forum about who I think might have been sitting where. What good does that do anyone at a time like this?
(Except I can assure you I would be extremely suprised if the marine pilot had any involvement in flying the aircraft as he was a MARINE PILOT.)
All I'm saying is keep an open mind and wait for the outcome of the investigations. Hopefully the CVR will have been "operational" during the critical final stages of the flight!
TB
As for the rest of your questions, I am not going to enter into a conversation on a public forum about who I think might have been sitting where. What good does that do anyone at a time like this?
(Except I can assure you I would be extremely suprised if the marine pilot had any involvement in flying the aircraft as he was a MARINE PILOT.
)All I'm saying is keep an open mind and wait for the outcome of the investigations. Hopefully the CVR will have been "operational" during the critical final stages of the flight!
TB