ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 228586
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| Date: | Thursday 29 August 2019 |
| Time: | c. 10:45 LT |
| Type: |  Air Tractor AT-502B |
| Owner/operator: | Ramu Agri Industries |
| Registration: | P2-SET |
| MSN: | 502B-0255 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 6.8 nm NW of Baimuru Airstrip, Gulf -
 Papua New Guinea
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Daru |
| Gusap | |
| Investigating agency: | PNG AIC |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
An Air Tractor AT-502B aircraft, registered P2-SET, was conducting a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) ferry flight from Daru to Gusap, PNG, when it impacted trees near Era River about 6.8 nautical miles North-West of Baimuru Airstrip.
The aircraft initially impacted a single protruding palm tree, clipping the outboard section of the right wing. The aircraft continued another 1.3 nautical miles towards the South-East before penetrating the canopy layer of the swamp forest, impacting a tall thick tree. The forward fuselage section with the hopper, main landing gear, engine and propeller still attached to it, separated on impact and projected further for another 290 meters before impacting and becoming embedded in mud. Both wings separated from the aircraft on impact and came to rest about 10 meters away from the main wreckage.
According to the PNG National Weather Services, there was rain, cloud and fog in the area of the accident. The weather conditions in the area were determined to be below the minimums specified for conducting flights under VFR. Locals confirmed that there was heavy fog in the area.
The investigation determined that the pilot encountered adverse weather conditions during the flight, descended and circled in the Kikori Delta area for almost an hour, to maintain or regain visual references. The aircraft subsequently impacted a tree at 43 feet above ground level. However, the pilot was unable to maintain separation from ground obstacles (trees).
The last known call from the pilot to the ATS was recorded at 10:42 local time (00:42 UTC). The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, suffered fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
CAUSES [CONTRIBUTING FACTORS]
The weather conditions in the accident area included torrential rain, cloud and fog. Visibility was poor.
The pilot obtained weather information from local contacts which was not an approved source as per RAIL Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Furthermore, while enroute, the weather deteriorated and the pilot inadvertently flew into cloud, rain and fog.
The pilot flew at very low altitude in adverse weather conditions, likely to maintain or regain visual reference and subsequently impacted trees.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
PNG media ex.VH-SET. National newspapers
https://www.aic.gov.pg/investigation/366
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 29-Aug-2019 12:14 | Petropavlovsk | Added |
| 29-Aug-2019 14:29 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 29-Aug-2019 14:55 | Petropavlovsk | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 29-Aug-2019 14:55 | harro | Updated [Aircraft type, Damage] |
| 29-Aug-2019 16:51 | A.J.Scholten | Updated [Source] |
| 30-Aug-2019 05:37 | Petropavlovsk | Updated [Total fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 30-Aug-2019 05:53 | Petropavlovsk | Updated [Damage, Narrative] |
| 31-Aug-2019 19:06 | Anon. | Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport] |
| 07-Sep-2019 14:38 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 07-Sep-2019 17:08 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 08-Sep-2019 17:16 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 13-Sep-2019 13:26 | Petropavlovsk | Updated [Time, Operator, Source] |
| 11-Jan-2021 17:52 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 29-Jun-2023 08:30 | Ron Averes | Updated [[Source, Narrative]] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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