No fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crash during takeoff at Popondetta Airfield (A34-14)

Popondetta, Papua New GuineaTakeoff (climb)

On January 17, 1943, a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon (registration A34-14) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Popondetta, Papua New Guinea during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine on takeoff. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane crashed shortly after takeoff from Popondetta Airfield following a left engine failure. All four occupants on board escaped the incident without injury.

What happened

During the initial climb phase of departure from Popondetta Airfield, the twin-engine aircraft experienced a mechanical issue involving the left powerplant. The loss of thrust caused the airframe to roll toward the left side. As the aircraft descended, it made contact with the runway surface and subsequently crashed. Despite the impact, all four individuals on board survived the accident and were reported as uninjured.

Findings

The official investigation identified the failure of the left engine during the takeoff roll as the primary cause of the incident. This mechanical failure led to a loss of directional control, resulting in the aircraft striking the ground.

Probable cause

Failure of the left engine on takeoff.