Kerowagi – Wau
Flight / Schedule
Kerowagi – Wau
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.84 DragonRegistration
VH-BDB
MSN
2063
Year of Manufacture
1943
Operator
Mandated AirlinesDate
April 2, 1951 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Kerowagi Simbu (Chimbu)
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Coordinates
-5.8988°, 144.8543°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On April 2, 1951 at 12:00 AM, Kerowagi – Wau experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.84 Dragon, operated by Mandated Airlines, with the event recorded near Kerowagi Simbu (Chimbu).
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
10 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 10 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft failed to gain height after takeoff and crashed. Three occupants, among them the pilot, were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off. Investigators found that the aircraft was overloaded by at least 18 kilograms and had 8 passengers and 2 crew, when only certificated to carry 6 passengers. Only 4 seat belts were fitted and no passengers were wearing seat belts. Unsecured freight was carried behind the passengers, moving forward on impact and hitting the passengers. The pilot had not completed a load sheet or calculated the centre of gravity. The tailwind on takeoff exceeded the maximum allowable for Kerowagi Airfield.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-BDB, MSN 2063, year of manufacture 1943.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -5.8988°, 144.8543°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft failed to gain height after takeoff and crashed. Three occupants, among them the pilot, were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off. Investigators found that the aircraft was overloaded by at least 18 kilograms and had 8 passengers and 2 crew, when only certificated to carry 6 passengers. Only 4 seat belts were fitted and no passengers were wearing seat belts. Unsecured freight was carried behind the passengers, moving forward on impact and hitting the passengers. The pilot had not completed a load sheet or calculated the centre of gravity. The tailwind on takeoff exceeded the maximum allowable for Kerowagi Airfield.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
8
Estimated Survivors
10
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 10
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Kerowagi – Wau
Operator
Mandated AirlinesFlight Type
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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