Salamaua – Wau
Flight / Schedule
Salamaua – Wau
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.83 Fox MothRegistration
VH-UQQ
MSN
4021
Year of Manufacture
1932
Operator
WR Carpenter %26 CompanyDate
December 16, 1934 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Black Cat Creek Morobe
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On December 16, 1934 at 12:00 AM, Salamaua – Wau experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth, operated by WR Carpenter %26 Company, with the event recorded near Black Cat Creek Morobe.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.
1 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. Struck trees and crashed in Black Cat Creek, in the Bitoi Valley, PNG. The pilot E. D. 'Joss' Crisp departed Salamaua for Wau with a load of general stores, beer and spirits. Caught in severe downdraft from an electrical storm in the Bitoi Valley, forced into tree tops. The forward fuselage and cabin broke away and fell 70 feet to the ground, the cargo spilling out of the shattered cabin. Crisp was not injured but was strapped into the remains of the cockpit in the tree tops. Crisp climbed down the trees to the ground to camp in torrential rain and began walking out next day. He was found by a searching ground party the following day.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-UQQ, MSN 4021, year of manufacture 1932.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Struck trees and crashed in Black Cat Creek, in the Bitoi Valley, PNG. The pilot E. D. 'Joss' Crisp departed Salamaua for Wau with a load of general stores, beer and spirits. Caught in severe downdraft from an electrical storm in the Bitoi Valley, forced into tree tops. The forward fuselage and cabin broke away and fell 70 feet to the ground, the cargo spilling out of the shattered cabin. Crisp was not injured but was strapped into the remains of the cockpit in the tree tops. Crisp climbed down the trees to the ground to camp in torrential rain and began walking out next day. He was found by a searching ground party the following day.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
1
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 1
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Salamaua – Wau
Operator
WR Carpenter %26 CompanyFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Guinea Airways
De Havilland DH.9
Shortly after takeoff from Wau Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the Bulolo River, some 8 miles north of the airport. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Airgold
Ryan B-1 Brougham
On approach to Lae, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed in the sea. Both occupants were rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.
Airgold
Avro 504
While on approach to Lae, the single engine airplane crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured.
Guinea Airways
Junkers W.34
On final approach to Wau, the aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Ellyou Goldfields Development Corporation
Handley Page H.P.27
En route from Salamaua to Wau, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Misim located in the Kuper Range, some 10 km east of Wau. The occupant fate remains unknown.
Guinea Airways
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
On the last segment, while landing, the aircraft was caught by strong winds. The single engine airplane hit the ground, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.