What happened
On 13 April 2016, a Pilatus Britten Norman Turbine Islander (registration P2-SBC) was conducting a charter flight operated by Sunbird Aviation Ltd. The flight was intended to follow a route from Kiunga to Oksapmin and back to Kiunga. However, the pilot instead flew from Oksapmin to Tekin without notifying Air Traffic Services of this change in plan. Upon departing Tekin, the pilot informed Air Traffic Services that the aircraft was departing from Oksapmin.
The aircraft was carrying a cargo of vegetables along with a crew of one pilot and 11 passengers, consisting of eight adults and three children. As the flight approached the Kiunga circuit area, the pilot cancelled the SARWATCH notification with Air Traffic Services. No emergency or safety concerns had been reported by the pilot prior to the accident.
During the final approach phase, witnesses observed the aircraft undergo a sudden and extreme pitch-up maneuver, nearly reaching a vertical position. This was followed by the right wing dropping and the aircraft rolling into an inverted position. The aircraft then descended rapidly and struck the terrain approximately 1,200 metres west of the runway 07 threshold. The impact was characterized by a vertical descent with minimal forward momentum. The crash resulted in 12 fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- The pilot operated the flight without notifying Air Traffic Services of the deviation from the original flight plan.
- Radio communications during the flight were heavily degraded by significant static and interference.
- The aircraft experienced an extreme pitch-up and roll into an inverted position during its final approach.