Madang plane crash claims 3 lives

A third-level airline, operated by Niugini Aviation, reportedly went down yesterday afternoon, killing three people instantly, including the national pilot.

The aircraft, PAC 750, with registration P2-RNA, departed Mt. Hagen at 1:02pm with an estimated time of arrival at Simbai Airstrip at 1:20pm.

However, it never made it through the short 17-minute flight.

Another aircraft, P2-HFF, that landed at Simbai at 1:49pm raised a distress signal after P2-RNA failed to arrive.

Upon departing Simbai, the pilot of P2-HFF reported strong signal indications approximately six miles south of Simbai.

After 4pm, a Bell 407 helicopter was tasked to conduct operations, however, weather conditions in Simbai deteriorated, limiting search effectiveness.

A search team from Heli Solution reportedly reached the accident site around 5pm. The team reported nil survivors, and the aircraft substantially damaged by fire, from the nose section to the fuselage.

Search and rescue efforts are continuing.