Lae – Bulolo

On April 18, 1948 at 12:00 AM, Lae – Bulolo experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-414 Hudson, operated by Guinea Air Traders, with the event recorded near Lae Morobe.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

37 people were known to be on board, 37 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 33, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Lae-Nadzab Airport, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed on an island located in the Markham River, south of the airport. All 37 occupants were killed. It was determined that all passengers were local farmers that were seating in the main cabin without seat or seat belt. Worst accident involving a Lockheed Hudson.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-ALA, MSN 414-6460, year of manufacture 1942.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.6698°, 146.9968°.