No fatalities

Aircraft overruns runway at Wau Airport during demonstration flight (G-AIMC)

Wau, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On November 23, 1947, a Bristol 170 Freighter (registration G-AIMC) operated by Bristol Aeroplane Company was involved in an aviation accident near Wau, Papua New Guinea during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A brake cable failure following landing prevented proper deceleration, causing the aircraft to overrun the runway. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 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

During a demo flight, an aircraft failed to stop on a steep runway at Wau Airport after a brake cable failure, resulting in minor injuries to the crew and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a demonstration flight for prospective clients. Upon arrival at Wau Airport, the aircraft touched down on a runway characterized by a relatively steep gradient. Following the landing, the plane failed to decelerate as expected and could not be brought to a halt within the available runway distance. The aircraft subsequently overran the end of the strip and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the airfield.

All five members of the crew sustained minor injuries during the event. The structural damage sustained by the aircraft was extensive, leading to its classification as beyond repair.

Findings

Investigations into the accident identified a specific mechanical failure as the primary factor in the loss of control. A brake cable failed immediately after touchdown. This malfunction prevented the braking system from functioning correctly, which stopped the aircraft from slowing down sufficiently to remain on the runway surface.

Probable cause

A brake cable failure following landing prevented proper deceleration, causing the aircraft to overrun the runway.