What happened
On 19 October 2013, an ATR42-320 freighter, operating as flight PX2900 for Air Niugini, was preparing for a cargo flight from Madang to Tabubil. The aircraft, registered P2-PXY, was carrying a shipment of tobacco. The flight crew consisted of three members: the pilot in command, a copilot, and an experienced captain acting in a guidance capacity for the approach into the destination.
During the takeoff roll on runway 25, the crew intended to utilize the full length of the runway. As the aircraft reached the calculated rotation speed of 102 knots, the pilot in command attempted to rotate the aircraft but encountered extremely heavy pitch controls, making it impossible to pull the control column back normally.
Flight data recorder analysis shows that roughly two seconds after the control difficulty was noted, the pilot aborted the takeoff. The crew applied full braking and engaged full reverse thrust; however, the aircraft could not be stopped within the remaining runway distance. The aircraft exited the runway, crossed an embankment, and the right wing made contact with a perimeter fence. The impact, subsequent fire, and partial submersion in salt water resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, including the loss of the right engine and the destruction of both propellers.