A tragic plane crash involving North Coast Aviation has claimed the lives of all five passengers and the pilot of the Britten Norman 2B aircraft. The incident unfolded on Christmas Eve, and the wreckage was discovered in the rugged terrain of Sapmanga Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.
According to Jurgen Ruh, the Chief Officer of Manolos Aviation Limited, the news of no survivors is deeply regrettable. "I deeply regret this advice on Christmas Eve, there are no survivors of the P2-SAM crash site at Sapmanga Valley, Morobe Province," he stated. The situation was grim, with the impact described as severe, leading to what Ruh termed as instant fatalities. “The impact of the terrain was hard and transition to the next world was instant,” he added, emphasizing the abruptness of the tragedy.
Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lae, confirmed the somber outcome. He stated, "This is a sad day for us," as he addressed the media following the crash site visit. The search and rescue teams, consisting of the police’s Air Transport Wing and members from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force's Long Range Reconnaissance Unit, managed to access the remote area earlier today.
Rosso provided updates on the operation, explaining how the first body was retrieved and brought back to Lae’s Manolos Heliport around 11:15 AM. “We hope to retrieve all the bodies today if the weather permits,” he noted, as the team worked to clear vegetation and create landing pads for helicopters involved in the recovery effort.
Officials from Manolos Aviation also expressed their deep sorrow. Ruh spoke on behalf of the company, sharing their collective grief with the victims' families. “Our medical team finally managed to visit the crash site of P2-SAM, and our Doctor has confirmed there are no survivors,” he conveyed, reiteratively stressing the importance of halting speculation about the victims suffering during the crash.
Following this heart-wrenching tragedy, the Accident Investigation Commission has been contacted to conduct a thorough inquiry. Both Ruh and Rosso extended their sympathies to the families affected, with Ruh stating, "We are sharing the grief with the families of the deceased."
Despite being Christmas Eve, the sadness of this incident shadows the usual festive spirit, with community leaders and officials emphasizing the need for support and remembrance for those lost.
The nature of the crash still remains under investigation, with no detailed cause reported yet. Eyewitnesses and involved officials have pointed to the crash site’s difficult terrain and potentially adverse weather conditions as factors contributing to this tragic incident. The investigation will aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding the crash and to ascertain the safety measures applicable to aviation operations throughout the region.
Local authorities are ensuring they will keep the community informed as investigations progress and as recovery operations continue. The widespread impact of the accident has been felt throughout Papua New Guinea and beyond, illustrating the risks associated with air travel, especially in rugged and unpredictable environments.
This accident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of aviation, particularly in remote locations. With each passing moment, condolences continue to flow from various corners of the globe to the families affected by this unfortunate crash, signifying the communal grief over such unforeseen losses.
