Wau – Lae
Flight / Schedule
Wau – Lae
Aircraft
Stinson SR-7 ReliantRegistration
VH-URC
MSN
9669
Year of Manufacture
1936
Operator
Guinea AirwaysDate
August 27, 1937 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Wau Morobe
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Coordinates
-7.3403°, 146.7173°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On August 27, 1937 at 12:00 AM, Wau – Lae experienced a crash involving Stinson SR-7 Reliant, operated by Guinea Airways, with the event recorded near Wau Morobe.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
1 people were known to be on board, 1 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: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 1.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The pilot was conducting a cargo flight from Wau to Lae and started the takeoff run in foggy conditions. After takeoff, in initial climb, the aircraft struck a house at full power and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the owner of the house was killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-URC, MSN 9669, year of manufacture 1936.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -7.3403°, 146.7173°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
1
Crash Summary
The pilot was conducting a cargo flight from Wau to Lae and started the takeoff run in foggy conditions. After takeoff, in initial climb, the aircraft struck a house at full power and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the owner of the house was killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 1
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Wau – Lae
Operator
Guinea AirwaysFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
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.
