Accident Details
On a cargo flight from Mount Hagen Airport to Kamusi, a twin-engine aircraft carrying two passengers, one pilot, and a load of vegetables experienced an engine power loss shortly after takeoff. While climbing to an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the engine lost power. At a speed of 50 knots, the pilot initiated an emergency landing. During the landing attempt, the aircraft struck the ground, rolled for about 80 meters, and subsequently collided with rocks. All three occupants sustained slight injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Official Findings
The probable cause, as stated in the official accident investigation, indicates that no definite conclusion can be reached as to why the aircraft performed so poorly. However, from a hypothetical point of view, a combination of some of the following factors could have led to the events: 1. Substantial inadvertent overload. 2. Mixture excessively rich. 3. Carburettor heat inadvertently selected to hot for takeoff. 4. Aircraft encountered an area of subtle downdraft/downflowing airstream. 5. Propeller controls not set for maximum RPM.