Kerowagi – Lae
Flight / Schedule
Kerowagi – Lae
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.84 DragonRegistration
VH-AOS
MSN
2006
Year of Manufacture
1943
Operator
Mandated AirlinesDate
January 29, 1947 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Mt Kerigomna Simbu (Chimbu)
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Coordinates
-6.0009°, 145.1191°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On January 29, 1947 at 12:00 AM, Kerowagi – Lae experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.84 Dragon, operated by Mandated Airlines, with the event recorded near Mt Kerigomna Simbu (Chimbu).
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a mountains 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: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. While cruising at an altitude of 10,500 feet in poor weather conditions, while on a cargo flight from Kerowagi to Lae, the twin engine aircraft hit the rocky face of Mt Kerigomna (3,204 meters high). The wreckage was spotted by another Mandated Airlines crew three days later and the body of the pilot Douglas G. Tapsall, who was killed, was later recovered.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-AOS, MSN 2006, year of manufacture 1943.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.0009°, 145.1191°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
While cruising at an altitude of 10,500 feet in poor weather conditions, while on a cargo flight from Kerowagi to Lae, the twin engine aircraft hit the rocky face of Mt Kerigomna (3,204 meters high). The wreckage was spotted by another Mandated Airlines crew three days later and the body of the pilot Douglas G. Tapsall, who was killed, was later recovered.
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
Kerowagi – Lae
Operator
Mandated AirlinesFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
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.
