Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft, a de Havilland Fox Moth, was conducting a cargo flight from Port Moresby to Kokoda. The cargo included mail, freezer meat, bread, Christmas parcels, and general cargo. The pilot, Frank Goosens, was the sole occupant.
Flight and Accident Sequence
According to Goosens, the flight required circling to gain altitude to cross the Gap. He cleared a ridge to reach Lake Myola but faced another ridge. Instead of encountering an updraft, the aircraft was caught in a downdraft. Attempting to turn back while maneuvering around hills, the airplane entered a spin. Goosens was unable to recover, and the Fox Moth struck a tree.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was substantially damaged. Everything forward of the pilot's cabin was crushed, and the engine was pushed rearward, narrowly missing the pilot's head. Goosens sustained a bleeding forehead but was otherwise uninjured.
Rescue and Survival
After the crash, Goosens attempted to walk out along the Kokoda Trail. He was spotted by a searching Douglas DC-3 aircraft but returned to the wreckage. He slept in the cockpit for two nights while awaiting a ground search party, which eventually reached him.
Probable Cause (Official Findings)
Caught by downdraft on approach.