Merged: Milne Bay Crash
 

Sky News is reporting the unfortunate crash of a chartered aircraft working in the Milne Bay region (PNG). Sketchy details to say the least. Anyone heard anything else like operator/aircraft type?

Six seater turboprop - 4 passengers - charter - it ws near Misima and it is believed all died except the co-pilot. It was chartered by Australian Reef Pilots who are marine pilots who do a lot of work in the shipping channels between PNG and FNQ.

That is as much as anyone seems to know at present

Courier Mail is saying it's Transair's Citation II.

details here
 

From News.com.au...

ONE Australian has died and others remain missing after their plane crashed in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province.

Australian Reef Pilots confirmed one of their staff members died when their chartered plane crashed this afternoon.
Other Australians, not working with Australian Reef Pilots, were on board but their fate was not immediately known.
Acting CEO for PNG Ports Jerome Peniasi told AAP the Australians on the plane were working with Australian Reef Pilots near Misima Island, Milne Bay, on PNG's south-east tip.
"We are aware of the accident but we still don't have much information as communication has been difficult,'' he said.
Australian Reef Pilots chief executive officer Craig Southerwood issued a short statement this evening.
"ARP is shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our marine pilots in a chartered plane crash in PNG this afternoon,'' he said.
"Chairman Don McLay is visiting with the family of our deceased workmate and friend to offer them the company's sympathy and any assistance at this terrible time. "We are all shattered by this tragedy,'' he said.

ARP provides help for vessels navigating in difficult shipping lanes and provides emergency and temporary port pilots and marine consultancy.
According to ARP's website, the company has been involved in marine pilotage through Queensland's shipping channels for more than 100 years.
Milne Bay governor's spokesman Robin Wayuba said Misima Island locals contacted their office about 4.30pm (AEST).

"Locals said the plane skidded off the runway after landing at Misima," Wayuba said.

"The plane crashed into nearby trees and burst into flames.

"Locals say five people were on board and the weather had been wet and windy all day.

"They said only the pilot survived and (he) is in a critical condition in the local hospital."

It is still unclear how many people were aboard the charter plane


Read more: Australian dies in PNG plane crash, others missing | News.com.au

Citation II P2-TAA Crash at Misima Island PNG
 

Australian killed in PNG plane crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Australian killed in PNG plane crash

By PNG correspondent Liam Fox

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201008/r630218_4290221.jpg

The plane crashed after landing at Misima Island, 200km off PNG's south-east tip. (Google Maps)

An Australian man and three other people have been killed in a plane crash on a remote island in Papua New Guinea.
Locals say the plane skidded off the runway, crashed into trees and burst into flames after landing at Misima Island, 200 kilometres off PNG's south-east tip.
Robin Wayuba from the Milne Bay Governor's office says five people were on board and only the pilot survived. He is in a critical condition.
Brisbane-based company Australian Reef Pilots says one of its marine pilots was on board the plane.
The man was due to guide a boat into Australian waters.
The company's managing director, Craig Southerwood, was too distraught to be interviewed but said his staff were in shock.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is trying to determine if there were any other Australians on board the plane.
Locals say the weather was wet and windy at the time of the crash.



TB

What about JW ?

Oh dear... Sad news indeed! :sad:

Damn damn damn ..... is that the old TFQ?


Edit - looks like it is. :(

If one of the pilots involved was the owner of the aircraft,I'm tipping that this story will turn out to be big news in Australia once the names have been released and the jurnos put 2 and 2 together.

arrivals Misima
 

believe it's not the first time pax had to push the aircraft on arrival into Misima

I am hoping against hope that if anyone knows the names can you please either confirm or deny (by PM if you like) if DM was on board?

Regards,

OpsN.;)

Folks, I've been checking the news regularly, and it appears the names of those (other than the ship pilot) have not been released.

A couple of you have named crew, which I've edited pending confirmation.

Out of respect for next of kin, please, no names on here until it's public knowledge.

TID

Jim with respect, take your agenda somewhere else for the time being.:=

Oh !!!!e - just got the bad news. RIP mate.

Thanks for the PM, OpsN, ruined my day :(
RIP mate.

Despite what Jim may post above, all those who've lost their lives in this incident will be sadly missed -

RIP Les

devastated .. absolutely devastated

News.com.au are reporting that Les Wright was on-board and is deceased.

Completely gutted.
To my mate - I will miss you forever and love you loads xxx :( :{

Will greatl miss your sense of humour greatly around here. :{

Terribly sad news.

RIP Wiz.:sad:

:(WIZ, wow. RIP I dont know what to say, Our history was long and colourful, thanks for being the dude that you were and my heart is with your wife and kids.

VT

PerthNow has a picture of the aircraft for interest's sake.

http://resources0.news.com.au/images...8-planebig.jpg

To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.

Here it is in the early/mid 90's when I flew it.

http://www.billzilla.org/guasopa.jpg

That's at Guasopa.

Are you sure that is Guasopa? Must have changed a lot since I was there, and grown some pretty serious terrain.

RIP mate, you certainly were a huge character, one of a kind and we'll miss you and your humour. Gutted.
:(

Not the Guasopa I know either.

I'm going to be quick to say this;

To those who contribute to this thread; please keep it in mind that Wiz is a personal friend to a lot of people here and that respect is of the utmost importance.
Please tread lightly and perhaps p!ss off with your theory's - if you are tempted.
I know I speak for others too.

Thank you

Amanda

One of the good guys, now gone... :sad: His poor family.

Nice sentiments Amanda and I agree whole heartedly......but you and I know its not gunna stop the inevitable....

Edit: I understand the co-pilot survived after being somehow thrown clear during the crash!

TB

Airline boss killed in PNG crash: reports
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox

Updated 44 minutes ago

Three Australians and two New Zealanders were on board the small Trans Air jet when it crashed on Misima Island yesterday.

Locals say the Trans Air flight overshot the runway in wet and windy weather, crashed into trees and burst into flames killing four of those on board.

News agency AAP is reporting that Les Wright, a part-owner of Trans Air, died in the crash.

Mr Wright was the co-owner and chief pilot of the similarly named airline Transair which was involved in a plane crash that killed 15 people in far north Queensland in 2005.

Medivac company International SOS says one of its staff was killed in this week's crash but declined to provide further details.

Already identified among the victims is 61-year-old Sydney man Chris Hart, who was working for Australian Reef Pilots.

One of the New Zealanders, an Australian permanent resident who is believed to be one of the pilots, survived the accident with only heavy bruising.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says consular officials will remain in Papua New Guinea until the bodies of the three Australians are brought home.

"We have three Australian officials on the ground - they'll remain on the ground until such time as the injured New Zealand citizen who survived the crash has been transported back to Port Moresby and the bodies of the three Australians have been repatriated," he said.

Mr Smith says the deceased men were from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia and their families have been notified.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has expressed her sympathy to the men's families.

"Can I offer my condolences to the families of the three Australians that would be grieving the loss of a loved one today," she said.

"Can I also offer our condolences to the New Zealand family that has lost a loved one, and can I wish a speedy recovery and a return to good health to the New Zealand citizen/Australian resident who has been injured."

The crash is the third fatal plane crash in Papua New Guinea in just over a year.

Six people died in a light plane crash in January, while nine Australians were among 13 killed when a plane crashed into a mountain near Kokoda in August last year.

I've known Sir Les for 25 years. He was a true aviation character who trained & gave a start to dozens of fine pilots and will be missed by many.

RIP and tailwinds forever..

Can whoever finds out the places and times of the services for all the deceased please post them here. I'll certainly be going to pay my respects, I owe plenty.

Wiz will miss the SMS and texts and the humour

A True Gentleman
 

I also have known Les for many years (around 25) and I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for his continued support of young pilots in this country.

Always willing to give someone a go.

Many successful aviation careers have been fostered through the support of this ture aviator, a real Australian character.

I remember him saying to a group of his pilots in the early nineties that if the company could not run like a family with everyone getting on and supporting each other, then he would rather shut it down.

RIP Mate, we will miss you, tailwinds for eternity and GODSPEED

Rick

Les you gave me a start and many others, R.I.P mate.

Lukim you Les...
 

Les you will be missed. You gave so much to so many young guys in GA. Thank you...what more can I say. A sad...sad day. Good bye Sir Les...Lukim you wontok.

Here here Chewi

Still havent processed it, but Les mate, thanks for trusting in us, and giving us the opportunity to realise our dreams. Some of the best times of my career at FL180. I have travelled the world and flown the big shiny ones thanks to the start you gave me.

Yes the Nose wheel Steering's on mate


Smithy

Truly tragic news.
Friend for many years - you will not be forgotten.
:{