No fatalities

Emergency Landing Near Port Moresby Results in Total Loss (AW674)

Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 11, 1943, an Avro 652 Anson (registration AW674) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An unexpected situation encountered during the approach phase forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing, resulting in a belly impact that destroyed the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot executed an emergency landing near Port Moresby after encountering unexpected conditions, resulting in a belly landing that destroyed the aircraft while all three crew members survived without injury.

What happened

During the approach phase to Port Moresby, the pilot faced an unforeseen operational situation that necessitated an immediate diversion. Unable to continue the standard landing procedure, the crew was compelled to attempt an emergency landing in a suitable area nearby.

The aircraft made contact with the ground approximately 12 kilometers northeast of the airport perimeter. The impact resulted in a belly landing, causing severe structural damage that rendered the airframe beyond repair. Despite the total loss of the machine, all three members of the crew managed to evacuate the wreckage and escaped without sustaining any injuries.

Findings

The incident was precipitated by an unexpected situation encountered during the final approach, which forced the pilot to deviate from the planned flight path and execute a forced landing in unprepared terrain.

Probable cause

An unexpected situation encountered during the approach phase forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing, resulting in a belly impact that destroyed the aircraft.