Minj - Mendi

On September 1, 1972 at 10:32 AM, Minj - Mendi experienced a crash involving Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant, operated by Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea, with the event recorded near Mt Giluwe Western Highlands.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.

While cruising at an altitude of 10,250 feet in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the northeastern slope of Mt Giluwe (14,346 feet high). At the time of the accidents, clouds (CB's) were present up to 9,000 feet and the visibility was poor. It was reported that the pilot should follow another route but was off track for unknown reason.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-PNI, MSN 1840, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.0432°, 143.8862°.