2 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Collision with Mountain Slope Near Ononge (P2-MBA)

Ononge, Papua New GuineaFlight

On July 29, 2004, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration P2-MBA) operated by Airlines PNG was involved in an aviation accident near Ononge, Papua New Guinea in flight. 2 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); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft struck a mountain slope while cruising at 2,286 m in clouds after diverting to Yongai Airfield due to poor weather. Both pilots were killed, and the loadmaster was seriously injured.

Incident Overview and Diversion Decision During a descent toward Ononge, the flight crew encountered adverse weather conditions. As a result, the crew elected to divert to Yongai Airfield, which is situated approximately 27 kilometers northeast of Ononge. ## Collision and Casualties Shortly after the diversion decision, the twin-engine aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 2,286 meters while in cloud cover. The aircraft subsequently struck the slope of a mountain. Rescue personnel did not arrive at the scene until one day after the accident. The loadmaster sustained serious injuries, while both pilots were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain.