What happened
The incident occurred during a departure from Port Moresby-Berry Field (12 Mile Drome). After lifting off at a speed of 65 knots, the aircraft failed to achieve adequate altitude. Recognizing the inability to climb, the pilot initiated an immediate landing attempt. However, the airplane crashed back onto the runway surface. Upon impact with the ground, the undercarriage collapsed, causing the airframe to come to rest on its belly. The pilot successfully evacuated the wreckage and sustained no injuries.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the accident resulted from the aircraft's inability to handle local environmental conditions at the specific loading weight due to insufficient power. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was carrying 788 lbs of freight with auxiliary fuel tanks full.