Lae - Lae

On March 25, 1950 at 12:00 AM, Lae - Lae experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-414 Hudson, operated by Mandated Airlines, with the event recorded near Lae Morobe.

The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 2.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The crew consisting of two mechanics and one pilot (Captain Gibson-Lee) were involved in a local test flight. Shortly after takeoff, the left engine failed and the pilot elected to return for a safe landing, but unfortunately, the runway was busy with a DC-3. The pilot was forced to make a go around, overflew the runway but was unable to gain sufficient height. At the end of the runway, the aircraft hit telephone wires and crashed in flames onto a house, killing a young honeymooning couple. The aircraft christened 'Petunia' was destroyed by fire, both mechanics were unhurt while the captain was seriously injured. He died from third degree burns ten days later. Source & photo: http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/hudson/vh-bdn.htm

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-BDN, MSN 6044, year of manufacture 1941.

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