28 fatalities

1994-12-17: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (P2-MFS) — Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF — Selbang, Papua New Guinea

Selbang, Papua New GuineaFlight

On December 17, 1994, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration P2-MFS) operated by Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF was involved in an aviation accident near Selbang, Papua New Guinea in flight. 28 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781208468Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered P2-MFS
Aircraft registered P2-MFS. Photo: Hallamd / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A twin-engine aircraft on a scheduled flight from Tabubil to Selbang struck a mountain slope at 6,400 feet in cloud, killing all 28 occupants. The official probable cause was controlled flight into terrain.

Accident Summary

A twin-engine aircraft operating a regular scheduled flight from Tabubil to Selbang crashed into a mountain approximately 9 kilometers south of Selbang. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, resulting in the deaths of all 28 individuals on board, comprising 26 passengers and 2 pilots.

Flight Details

The flight departed Tabubil en route to Selbang. After passing over Olsobip, the flight crew encountered poor visibility due to cloud cover. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 6,400 feet while within clouds when it struck the slope of a mountain.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, the cloud layer was reported to extend from 4,000 feet to 10,000 feet. The crew faced reduced visibility attributed to these clouds.

Investigation and Probable Cause

Investigators determined that the aircraft collided with terrain while under control. The official probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain.