2 fatalities

1961-12-02: De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (VH-SBS) — Trans Australia Airlines - TAA — Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea

Mount Hagen, Papua New GuineaFlight

On December 2, 1961, a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter (registration VH-SBS) operated by Trans Australia Airlines - TAA was involved in an aviation accident near Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea in flight. 2 people were killed. 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 1781245245Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight involving a single-engine airplane ended in a fatal crash near the Nebilyer Valley, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

On the date of the accident, a cargo operation was being conducted at an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet. During the cruise phase of the flight, the single-engine airplane impacted the terrain near the Nebilyer Valley, situated roughly 65 km away from Mount Hagen.

The impact resulted in a crash that claimed the lives of both people on board. The total number of fatalities was 2, with no survivors reported from the wreckage.

Findings

Information regarding the specific mechanical or operational failures leading to the descent is currently unavailable, though it is confirmed that the aircraft struck the ground while in level flight.