5 fatalities

Five Killed in Aircraft Crash at Port Moresby-Seven Mile (A30-5)

Port Moresby, Papua New GuineaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 14, 1942, a Douglas DC-2 (registration A30-5) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Aircraft stall during final approach. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft stalled during final approach to Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airport and crashed into flames, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members on board.

What happened

The incident occurred while the aircraft was executing its final approach to Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airport. During this phase of flight, the machine experienced a stall. The loss of lift led to an uncontrolled descent, causing the aircraft to impact the ground and immediately catch fire.

All five individuals on board were killed in the accident. The crew consisted of members from the 36th Squadron. While specific names are recorded in historical logs, the focus here remains on the operational context of the event rather than individual identities.

Findings

The primary mechanical failure identified was a stall during the approach phase. This aerodynamic condition prevented the aircraft from maintaining altitude and control, leading directly to the crash. No other contributing factors or external causes are detailed in the available records for this specific entry.

Probable cause

Aircraft stall during final approach