Helifix PNG - Caravan P2-HFA damaged in runway over run - 10 Feb 2023
 

Helifix Operation, Cessna C208B Caravan P2-HFA, has been damaged in a runway over run on landing at Eliptamin, Wester Highlands

No reported injuries and extent of damage unknown. Airstrip closed by Notam until 17th Feb.

Damaged Prop and shock loading of reduction Gearbox will make this a very expensive repair. (Garett TPE-331)
Possible damage to undercarriage
Nose gear torn out
Brake failure , maybe, but reversing prop should have stopped aircraft



https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...lQ&oe=63EB262C

Reminds me of the October '78 crash on take off of RAAF Caribou A4-164 at Eliptamin (AYEL RW 14/32).

They planned Telefomin (AYTE), but miss identified the strip and landed at the short Eliptamin strip. Eliptamin is 10 kms from Telefomin. The aircraft was disassembled and lifted out with a Chinook. It was subsequently returned to service.

The fuselage of A4-164 became a training aid in 1992 and the wings and tail are installed on A4-173 at QAM Caloundra.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....19ef71bbd1.png

Was that a Texas Turbine Supervan 900 conversion? (900 HP Honeywell TPE331-12JR). Didn't know there were any in PNG.

Indeed, an expensive engine repair.

RAAF tail wheel, RAAF, I say again, RAAF. :p I know, were all getting ancient, slips of the tongue, memory and all that. ;)

Possibly a loss of directional control looking at mud.

Once the road in between Tabubil and Telefomin has been finished, it’s likely that most of the marginal strips in the area will be closed.

Unfortunately, a very avoidable accident: the numbers say it all ....

Length 480m
Elevation 4,500 ft
Land 13
T/O 31
Grass/Gravel sometime rough
SOFT SURFACE EITHER SIDE OF CENTRELINE
Soft surface both ends
Very soft off Centre

Even the extra power of the TPE-331 cannot help you upon landing, but quick spool up and powerful reverse.

Taily

The three Helifix C208's were all Garett powered, not sure which particular brand of conversion.
HFB and HFC were sold off some time ago and are now Parachute drop aircraft in Oz.
HFA was the sole survivor (not any more) and was previously damaged at Kiunga and repaired

Their fixed wing fleet has diminished, all they have now is the Twin Otter P2-HFF and the leased C208B P2-GHW (Pratt PT6 - Black Hawk mod) recently purchased from Tropicar (P2-JWM)

They were considering the turbine version of the DC-3 a few years ago, although I don’t think it would be a good machine for PNG considering the operational environment.

Viking DHC-6-400 is the only option in my opinion and they did have a leased machine a few years ago for a specific contract.

Re Boo Boo crash - Actually it was bought and paid for by Army but operated by the RAAF

Ledger entry in defences accounts Fling, actually bought and paid for by you and me. ;)

Captain was Bob Burstill and copilot Mark Freeman

The RAAF bent a four or five Caribou at various locations in PNG, plus the civil Caribou prang near Kiunga, the Kudjeru Gap prang being the worst.

A4-264 overran the strip at Tufi, the pilot later going on to an "illustrious" career at CASA. :}

PNG Pilot's Facebook page apparently shows the Caravan slung under the Mil 8, on Friday 24th Feb,

Caravan was lifted out by Hevilift Mil 8, on Friday 24th Feb. Not sure about destination,
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....992471fe02.jpg