Accident
A twin-engine cargo aircraft operating a flight from Lae to Wabag crashed in a wooded area located 5 km from Katanka Airstrip. The pilot, Captain Frederick G. Barlogie, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. En route, the flight encountered poor conditions with reduced visibility caused by smoke haze. The aircraft was flying at an insufficient height when it struck obstacles and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the pilot continued the flight under conditions of reduced visibility in severe smoke haze, such that flight in sight of the ground could only be maintained at a dangerously low altitude.