Salamaua – Wau

On January 21, 1940 at 12:00 AM, Salamaua – Wau experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.84 Dragon, operated by Mandated Airlines, with the event recorded near Wau 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.

6 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 50.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Wau Airfield, the twin engine aircraft was too low following a poor judgement on part of the pilot. He attempted to make a go around and increased engine power but the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area near the airport. The pilot and two passengers were killed while all three other occupants were injured. Crew: Ron E. Doyle.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-URW, MSN 6080, year of manufacture 1934.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -7.3403°, 146.7173°.