Accident Overview
On 19 October 2013, an Avions de Transport Régional ATR42-320 freighter, registered P2-PXY and operated by Air Niugini, was scheduled to fly from Madang to Tabubil, Western Province, as flight PX2900 carrying a load of tobacco. Three persons were on board: the pilot in command (PIC), a copilot, and an experienced DHC-8 captain who was to provide guidance during the approach into Tabubil. The PIC was the handling pilot and the copilot served as the support monitoring pilot.
Sequence of Events
The flight crew taxied to the threshold of runway 25, intending to use the full length of the runway. The takeoff roll was normal until the PIC attempted to rotate at VR (102 knots), which the crew had calculated. He later reported that the controls felt very heavy in pitch and he could not pull the control column back in the normal manner. Flight data recorder (FDR) information indicated that approximately two seconds later, the PIC aborted the takeoff and selected full reverse thrust. He reported later that he applied full braking. It was not possible to stop the aircraft before the end of the runway; it continued over the embankment at the runway end, and the right wing struck the perimeter fence.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft was substantially damaged during the accident by the impact, a post-impact fire, and partial immersion in salt water. The right outboard wing section was completely burned, and the extensively damaged and burnt right engine fell off the wing into the water. Both propellers were torn from the engine shafts and destroyed by the impact forces.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified the following: Air Niugini’s lack of robust loading procedures and supervision for the ATR 42/72 aircraft, and inaccurate weights provided by the consignor/client company likely contributed to the overload. The mass and centre of gravity of the aircraft were not within prescribed limits. The total load exceeded the maximum permissible load, and the load limit in forward cargo zone ‘A’ exceeded that zone’s structural limit. There was no evidence of any defect or malfunction in the aircraft that could have contributed to the accident.