What happened
A flight scheduled to travel from Giramben to Simbai Airstrip in Madang Province experienced a critical failure during its takeoff roll. The flight was intended to operate at 9,000 ft AMSL. During the initial acceleration, the aircraft's right wheel encountered a soft patch on the runway approximately 500 meters from the start of the takeoff point. This impact significantly decreased the aircraft's momentum as it approached 60 knots.
While the aircraft briefly lifted off the ground, it settled back onto the runway. The pilot, having passed the designated committal point—located roughly 540 meters from the threshold of runway 16—decided to continue the takeoff roll using full power. Although the aircraft managed to become airborne again at the end of the runway with an airspeed of 50 knots, the right wheel struck the barbed wire of a perimeter fence. This contact caused the aircraft to impact the terrain approximately 100 meters beyond the runway end. The aircraft eventually came to a stop in a nearby village garden, roughly 160 meters from the runway.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot, an adult male, and several passengers, including an infant, sustained serious injuries, while one female passenger suffered minor injuries. Local residents performed the rescue and transported the survivors to Nazarene General Hospital in Jiwaka Province.
Findings
Investigation details revealed that the aircraft's main landing gear became entangled in the perimeter fencing wire during the takeoff sequence. Additionally, the pilot reported that the aircraft had been loaded by ground handlers at the departure point, and noted variable wind conditions from the North and East prior to taxiing.