No fatalities

Forced Landing Near Bulolo Following Engine Failure (VH-GAV)

Bulolo, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 25, 1949, a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth (registration VH-GAV) operated by Guinea Air Traders 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: Engine failure during final approach leading to a forced landing that impacted a rock outcrop. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 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

An aircraft suffered an engine failure on final approach to Bulolo, resulting in a forced landing where it struck a rock outcrop. Both occupants survived the incident, and the airframe was written off.

What happened

During the final approach phase toward Bulolo, the aircraft experienced a total loss of power due to an engine failure. The pilot immediately initiated a forced landing procedure to bring the machine down safely. However, during the descent, the airframe collided with a prominent rock formation located in the vicinity of Bulolo, a feature locally identified by aviators as The Pimple.

Despite the impact with the terrain, both individuals on board survived the crash. The severity of the damage sustained by the structure resulted in the aircraft being declared a total loss and written off following the event.

Probable cause

Engine failure during final approach leading to a forced landing that impacted a rock outcrop.