Png Accident

[Steve76]

FYI, both Wayne and Dave OK and no further info regarding the cause at the moment.

 

NZ pilot injured in PNG chopper crash

5:22PM Tuesday February 12, 2008

 

A New Zealand pilot has been seriously injured after the helicopter he and another pilot was flying crashed in Papua New Guinea today.

 

A Medevac rescue helicopter flew Wayne Hartley and PNG national David Inau to the capital, Port Moresby, where they were being treated in hospital.

 

Both were in a serious but stable condition, a Medevac spokesman said.

 

Tony McNabb, who flew the rescue mission, said it appeared the pilots' helicopter had clipped trees before crashing into a creek when trying to land near Safija village in PNG's Central Province.

 

"Conditions are good, the weather is fine, it could be a loss of power," Mr McNabb said.

 

"It looks like they were on approach as the crash site is about 250 metres from the landing pad."

 

The helicopter was taking provisions to a new gold exploration site for the Minex mining company.

 

- NZPA

[saturnman]

Thanks for the info Steve.