What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation traveling from Madang to Mendi, the flight crew encountered a significant technical issue. While performing the approach into Mendi Airstrip, the aircraft experienced a failure within its hydraulic system. Due to this malfunction, the decision was made to abort the landing at Mendi and divert back to the departure point in Madag.
Upon returning to Madang, the crew successfully touched down on the runway. However, the aircraft could not decelerate sufficiently before the end of the paved surface. The plane overran the runway and eventually came to a stop inside a nearby lake. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair. Despite the severity of the excursion, all three occupants managed to exit the plane without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
Investigation into the incident determined that the primary factor behind the inability to stop was the loss of hydraulic pressure. This specific failure rendered the aircraft's braking system inoperable, preventing the crew from controlling the plane's speed during the landing roll.