No fatalities

Single-Engine Aircraft Runway Excursion Due to Strong Winds (VH-UHJ)

Bulolo, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On October 7, 1930, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration VH-UHJ) operated by Guinea Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Bulolo, Papua New Guinea during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Strong winds encountered during the landing phase caused the aircraft to lose control and veer off the runway. 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane lost control during landing due to strong winds, veering off the runway and sustaining damage beyond repair while both occupants were injured.

What happened

During the final approach and landing phase, the aircraft encountered strong winds that disrupted its stability. As a result, the plane struck the ground and immediately lost control. The aircraft veered off the paved runway surface before coming to a complete stop. Both individuals on board sustained injuries in the incident. Post-accident assessments determined that the airframe suffered structural damage severe enough to be classified as damaged beyond repair.

Findings

The official investigation concluded that the primary factor leading to the loss of control was the impact of strong winds during the landing maneuver. These atmospheric conditions prevented the pilot from maintaining adequate control of the aircraft upon touchdown, resulting in the excursion off the runway.

Probable cause

Strong winds encountered during the landing phase caused the aircraft to lose control and veer off the runway.