Lae – Bulolo
Flight / Schedule
Lae – Bulolo
Aircraft
Lockheed L-414 HudsonRegistration
VH-ALA
MSN
414-6460
Year of Manufacture
1942
Operator
Guinea Air TradersDate
April 18, 1948 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Lae Morobe
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Coordinates
-6.6698°, 146.9968°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
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°.
Fatalities
Total
37
Crew
4
Passengers
33
Other
0
Crash Summary
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.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
33
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 37
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Lae – Bulolo
Operator
Guinea Air TradersFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Aircraft Details
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