Occurrence
On 19 December 2025 at 08:22 local time (22:22 UTC), a Cessna T188C aircraft, registered VH-NAB, sustained substantial damage to the right-hand landing gear wheel assembly during landing at Daru Airport, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. The aircraft was owned by PROPWASH AG Pty Ltd and operated by Liddles Aerial Spraying Pty Ltd, having been hired by Ramu Agri Industries Ltd for crop spraying activities. The flight was a visual flight rules (VFR) ferry flight from Horn Island, Australia, to Madang Province via Daru.
The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. According to the pilot, after an uneventful flight from Horn Island, he conducted a normal approach and landed on runway 14. During the landing roll, he lost directional control as the aircraft veered to the right. Despite corrective input, he heard a loud bang, and the aircraft then veered left before coming to rest near the runway edge. The pilot shut down the aircraft, contacted the operator, and exited uninjured. Post-exit, he observed damage to the right main landing gear structure.
Damage to Aircraft
The right main landing gear wheel assembly sustained significant damage. The aircraft is a Cessna T188C (serial number T18803891T, year of manufacture 1999) powered by a Lycoming IO-720-A1B engine (serial L-787-54A) and fitted with a Hartzell HC-C3YR-1RF propeller (serial DY3425A).
Investigation
The Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) of Papua New Guinea was notified by NiuSky Pacific Limited on the same day at 09:11 local time. The occurrence was classified as a serious incident, and an investigation was commenced under Section 247 of the PNG Civil Aviation Act 2000. Investigators were dispatched for on-site activities. In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the AIC notified the United States (NTSB) and Australia (ATSB) as states of manufacture and registry. This preliminary report contains initial evidence gathered up to the date of issue. The investigation is continuing, and the final report will include analysis, findings, contributing factors, and any safety recommendations.
General Details
- Date and Time: 19 December 2025, 08:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Occurrence Category: Serious Incident
- Primary Occurrence Type: Abnormal Runway Contact – Hard Landing
- Location: Daru Airport, Western Province (Latitude 9° 5'8.93"S, Longitude 143°12'25.08"E, elevation 20 ft, runway 14/32, length 1,400 meters)
- Type of Operation: VFR Ferry Flight
- Persons on Board: Crew 1 (pilot), passengers 0
- Injuries: None reported
- Damage: Substantial damage to right main landing gear wheel assembly
- Pilot: Australian male, 59 years, holder of CPL Aeroplane (CASA Australia)
At the time of this preliminary report, no safety actions or recommendations have been issued.