Caravan down in PNG
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Broadford, Victoria, Australia
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
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Oh boy, that's nasty. 
My thoughts are with those concerned. The pilots must have done their best. Poor consolation but remarkable that seven have survived given the circumstances. I hope they get swift assistance.
My thoughts are with those concerned. The pilots must have done their best. Poor consolation but remarkable that seven have survived given the circumstances. I hope they get swift assistance.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I don't know the names but we diverted over to the Kikori area when we heard the mayday call and then the beacon sounding a short time later (1330 local time). By the time we got to Kikori (about 1400) the beacon had stopped sounding. Obviously thinking the worst we stayed high (18000' also due fuel consideration) looking for smoke. We searched west of Kikori. As it turned out a Hevilift 412 found the wreckage at 1500 at a disused old strip called Kibeni (30nm west of Kikori).
They had managed to find the only clearing for 100's of square miles. Managed to glide there only to over run a strip that hasn't been maintained for many years. These boys are deadset heroes in my books and the survivors had more than luck on their side.
We departed the area when Hevilift called they were departing Kibeni with 11 POB heading for Kopi.
I must say I have a lot of admiration for everyone involved in the search. Everyone showed absolute professionalism (often PNG pilots have a somewhat of a cowboy reputation) and curtesy and no one pressed the Hevilift boys on the status of the pax or crew. Everyone just let them get on with the job. Well done to IRM (Hevilift for passing on the details to Moresby good on you Frazer). Well done to the Hevilift 412 crew for finding the site and carrying them all out. And last but not least well done to JWM (Tropicair Caravan) who gave us great information to start the search. I'm just very sorry the outcome wasn't a lot better. Cheers to all of you.
They had managed to find the only clearing for 100's of square miles. Managed to glide there only to over run a strip that hasn't been maintained for many years. These boys are deadset heroes in my books and the survivors had more than luck on their side.
We departed the area when Hevilift called they were departing Kibeni with 11 POB heading for Kopi.
I must say I have a lot of admiration for everyone involved in the search. Everyone showed absolute professionalism (often PNG pilots have a somewhat of a cowboy reputation) and curtesy and no one pressed the Hevilift boys on the status of the pax or crew. Everyone just let them get on with the job. Well done to IRM (Hevilift for passing on the details to Moresby good on you Frazer). Well done to the Hevilift 412 crew for finding the site and carrying them all out. And last but not least well done to JWM (Tropicair Caravan) who gave us great information to start the search. I'm just very sorry the outcome wasn't a lot better. Cheers to all of you.
SkyGod
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What is going on with the PT-6s...?
Another Caravan went down in Hawaii 6 or 8 weeks ago, the engine just quit but they landed on a road, nobody hurt.
Another Caravan went down in Hawaii 6 or 8 weeks ago, the engine just quit but they landed on a road, nobody hurt.
Lets not jump to conclusions yet TowerDog, there are a lot of PT6s all over the world probably doing somewhere in the vicinity of a Million hours a year or more, 2 Incidents involving PT6s in a space of 6-8weeks doesn't necessarily mean it's an engine issue.
Sounds like they did everything they could under trying conditions but the planets didn't quite line up for them, condolences to all involved and the boys and girls in PNG at the moment, never easy to lose someone you know especially in your own backyard. It's even harder early on when you don't know exactly what happened, no need to go fanning flames with no real information, that just gets people jumpy and nervous. I'm all for rumours but let's at least base them on some actual facts instead of tenuous links.
Sounds like they did everything they could under trying conditions but the planets didn't quite line up for them, condolences to all involved and the boys and girls in PNG at the moment, never easy to lose someone you know especially in your own backyard. It's even harder early on when you don't know exactly what happened, no need to go fanning flames with no real information, that just gets people jumpy and nervous. I'm all for rumours but let's at least base them on some actual facts instead of tenuous links.
SkyGod
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Not jumping to no conclussions, asking a question.
Last month I was riding in a Caravan as pax on 4 legs over water and I sure missed not having a second engine.
(that is after 2000 hrs single engine time in bush-Alaska back in the 80s)
So, any other reports of PT-6s quitting for no good reasons?
(I assume lack of fuel was not the issue, nor icing)
Last month I was riding in a Caravan as pax on 4 legs over water and I sure missed not having a second engine.
(that is after 2000 hrs single engine time in bush-Alaska back in the 80s)
So, any other reports of PT-6s quitting for no good reasons?
(I assume lack of fuel was not the issue, nor icing)
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Hi Mudpig,
thank you for the detailed update. I am a best friend of the co-pilot that was involved in this horrible event and have known since Monday but with few details.
thank you for the detailed update. I am a best friend of the co-pilot that was involved in this horrible event and have known since Monday but with few details.
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An update - Tropicair has suspended operations.
Tropicair suspends operations after fatal PNG crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Tropicair suspends operations after fatal PNG crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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PNG is a tough climate for any pilot whether they be a newbie or be experienced. Somewhere a mother has lost a son. One death in our industry is one death to many.
In gods speed.....
In gods speed.....
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Cactusjack
PNG is a tough climate for any pilot whether they be a newbie or be experienced. Somewhere a mother has lost a son. One death in our industry is one death to many.
In gods speed.....
PNG is a tough climate for any pilot whether they be a newbie or be experienced. Somewhere a mother has lost a son. One death in our industry is one death to many.
In gods speed.....
It's a tough time for all concerned when anyone dies in any circumstance. His poor Mother has lost two Sons in 12 months. Thanks mods, for the deletions.
I knew Adam, and he was enthusiastic about his future. It's a shame he did not have the opportunity to fulfil his dreams. RIP Mate.
Mother loses second son in a year after after PNG plane crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)