Gibbes Sepik Airways

Junkers JU.52

The pilot landed with a high tailwind component. After touchdown, the three engine aircraft veered off the airstrip and struck an embankment. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane came to rest on its belly. There were no injuries among the occupants but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Source & photos: http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/junkers ju52/junkersju52.html

Noorduyn Norseman

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a cargo flight from Minj to Mendi, carrying a load of cement bags. While approaching Mendi, weather conditions deteriorated. The single engine aircraft went through a valley in thunderstorm activity when it struck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. The pilot was killed.

Junkers JU.52

GSA pilot Peter Manser was making a down-hill takeoff on the sloping strip, carrying a heavy load of sawn timber. Just before becoming airborne the port engine suddenly lost all power, causing the aircraft to swing violently to the left and roll towards the Qantas terminal building and freight shed. The Qantas agent Mrs. Ivy Crawford saw it approaching and ran through the passenger room out on to the airfield and jumped over an embankment as the aircraft struck the building. The port wing sliced through the wooden structure, the roof collapsing as the Junkers kept rolling on to a road, tearing off its rear fuselage before Manser could bring it to a stop. The fuselage was broken into three sections and 12 feet was smashed off the port wing. Source: http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/junkers ju52/junkersju52.html

Noorduyn Norseman

Shortly after takeoff from Minj Airstrip, while in initial climb, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Noorduyn Norseman

En route, the engine failed and the propeller fell away. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Amele, about 16 km southwest of Madang. The aircraft crash landed near the Gogol River and was damaged beyond repair. Both occupants, among them R. H. Gibbes, were injured.

Noorduyn Norseman

The day prior to the accident, while on a cargo flight from Lae to Goroka, the pilot Frank J. Goosens was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field located five miles southeast of Goroka due to poor visibility. After he spent the night in the aircraft, he decided to leave the area bound for Goroka when, during the takeoff roll, the left wing hit an earth mound. The aircraft crashed, injuring the pilot.