1 fatality

Fatal aircraft accident near Garaina Airstrip (P2-RDE)

Garaina, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 28, 1978, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration P2-RDE) operated by Talair was involved in an aviation accident near Garaina, Papua New Guinea during landing or approach. One person was 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

A solo cargo flight ended in a fatal crash during the approach phase to Garaina Airstrip, resulting in one fatality.

What happened

A cargo operation originating from Lae-Nadzab Airport resulted in a fatal accident during its final stages of flight. While performing an approach to the Garaina Airstrip, the aircraft crashed under circumstances that remain undetermined.

The flight was being operated as a single-pilot mission. At the time of the impact, there was only one person on board the aircraft. The crash resulted in one fatality, as the pilot was killed in the accident.

Findings

The specific reasons for the descent and subsequent crash are currently unknown, as the exact circumstances surrounding the loss of the aircraft have not been established.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Feb 1978 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident near Garaina, Papua New Guinea?

A solo cargo flight ended in a fatal crash during the approach phase to Garaina Airstrip, resulting in one fatality.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Feb 1978 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Feb 1978 involved a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration P2-RDE, operated by Talair, at Garaina, Papua New Guinea.