John Keane crash P2-SEE Bundi PNG
 

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.

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

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...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1768810db.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e545c62ea.jpeg

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.