Mount Hagen – Goroka – Kainantu

On April 28, 1970 at 09:12 AM, Mount Hagen – Goroka – Kainantu experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Trans Australia Airlines - TAA, with the event recorded near Kainantu Eastern Highlands.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 72.7%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 9, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane departed Goroka at 0852LT and continued to Kainantu at an altitude of 7,500 feet. While approaching the destination, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was limited due to low clouds. The captain decided to continue and started the approach when the airplane struck a tree and crashed 5 km from the airfield. Both pilots and six passengers were killed while three others were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-TGR, MSN 6, year of manufacture 1966.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.2908°, 145.8679°.