Incident Overview
Date: Friday 18 July 1997
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
Owner/operator: Goroka Air Services
Registration Number: P2-MMU
Location: 8,3 km NE of Goroka Airport (GKA) –
ÿ Papua New Guinea
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Twin Otter aircraftTwin Otter aircraft
Category: Accident
A Twin Otter aircraft, en route to Goroka, diverted to Madang due to poor weather conditions. The aircraft subsequently crashed near Goroka, colliding with Mount Yasirua at an altitude of 7400 feet. The pilots were instructed to adhere to Visual Flight Rules in areas without published instrument procedures and to avoid using GPS for primary navigation.A Twin Otter aircraft, en route to Goroka, diverted to Madang due to poor weather conditions. The aircraft subsequently crashed near Goroka, colliding with Mount Yasirua at an altitude of 7400 feet. The pilots were instructed to adhere to Visual Flight Rules in areas without published instrument procedures and to avoid using GPS for primary navigation.
Description
The Twin Otter departed Chimbu at 10:02 for a flight to Goroka. Weather was poor with low clouds and rain. Other aircraft had diverted to Madang, but the Twin Otter crew continued. At 10:08 the crew reported 10 miles west of Goroka at 13000 feet. Nine minutes later the plane was overhead Goroka (airfield elevation 5208 feet.) The aircraft descended east of the field until it collided with Mount Yasirua at 7400 feet. After the accident, pilots were reminded to observe the Visual Flight Rules at locations where there are no published instrument flying procedures, and not to use GPS for primary navigation purposes.
Primary Cause
Poor weather conditions and diversion to Madang.Poor weather conditions and diversion to Madang.Share on:
