PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC)

Acting Board Chairman of the PNG, Captain Aria Bouraga said, “The AIC was notified about the accident by the Operator of the aircraft through a phone call at 04:44 pm local time. The operator reported that the accident occurred during the take-off roll at Dodomona airstrip.”

According to Captain Bouraga, the pilot discontinued the take-off, and the aircraft overran the departure end of airstrip, down a slope at the end of the airstrip, overturned and came to a rest, inverted.

AIC Acting Chief Commissioner, Captain Aria Bouraga announced today the investigation conducted into a PAC 750 aircraft accident that occurred on 18th January 2022 at Tekin Airstrip, Sandaun Province.

Capt. Bouraga explained that PAC 750XL aircraft operated by Niugini Aviation Services Limited (NASL), was conducting a single pilot VFR charter flight from Kiunga Airport, Western Province to Tekin Airstrip, Sandaun Province when during the landing roll, the aircraft sustained a left main landing gear assembly collapse and runway excursion.

The aircraft was initiating the turn onto left base at the Kagamuga airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands when the engine fire warning was activated. The event occurred on December 23, 2020.

Acting Chief Commissioner Captain Aria Bouraga said the final incident report has been published as per the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (As Amended) and pursuant to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Capt. Bouraga stated that on the day, the crew observed the engine fire warning and alarm. It was an undue alarm.

The AIC made the announcement this week based on the report that the New Tribes Mission (PNG) Limited Kodiak 100 aircraft, sustained structural damage, while flying from Lele Airstrip to Hoskins Airport, West New Britain Province last month.

PNG AIC Acting Chief Commissioner, Captain Aria Bouraga, stated that it is the policy of the AIC to publicly release a preliminary investigation report for each accident or serious incident being investigated 30 days from the occurrence date.

Namani said: “The AIC is the Nation’s agency mandated to conduct independent no-blame aircraft accident investigations to determine why an accident or serious incident happened and make findings and recommendations for preventing similar accidents in the future. It is independent of all regulatory and judicial authorities, and service providers.

“I also want to recognise the independence of the State Coroner in the investigation of deaths in aircraft accidents. The Police assist the Coroner and provide a report to the Coroner on the death.

Minister for Civil Aviation, Alfred Manase, said two investigators arrived in Chuuk 22 hours following the incident and immediately commenced assisting the FSM investigation team.

Minister Manase said as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 Standards, the FSM have allowed for the PNG AIC Investigation team to participate in the investigation.

He said the two member team arrived in Chuuk on Saturday 29th September at 8 am and immediately began investigation with FSM officials.