Wewak - Madang

On November 16, 1997 at 11:30 AM, Wewak - Madang experienced a crash involving Fokker F28 Fellowship, operated by Air Niugini, with the event recorded near Lae-Nadzab Morobe.

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.

49 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 49 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 45, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The flight departed Wewak Airport at 1000LT on a flight to Madang. En route, a warning light came on in the cockpit panel, informing the crew about technical problems. The crew experienced difficulties with testing the lift dumper and wheel brake antiskid systems. The pilot decided to divert to Lae-Nadzab which offered a longer runway and fire fighting facilities. After touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway to the left and came to rest in a ditch. All 49 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration P2-ANH, MSN 11022, year of manufacture 1970.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.5685°, 146.7262°.