A missing plane with 13 people on board over Papua New Guinea
11.08.2009
A charter airliner with 13 people on board disappeared today from the radar screens
over Papua New Guinea. According to the Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith part of the passengers
are probably Australians. The plane flew from the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby to Kokoda resort
which is very popular with the Australian tourists.
“The crew sent a radio message to the aerodispatchers when the plane started
getting closer to the runway but it never landed”, a PNG-Airlines’ spokesman reports.
A rescue team was immediately sent. There were 11 passengers and two crew-persons on the board.
Papua New Guinea (1) -- Analyses -- 2009
Taken measures and unexpected circumstances
11.08.2009
Eight of the missing Australians were part of the Melbourne-based No Roads Expedition tour group
- a company run by firefighters and paramedics that organises trekking tours – and another was an Australian tour guide.
An aerial search found the charter plane's wreckage. A Sea King helicopter was waiting on tarmac in
Port Moresby for clearance to fly to the wreckage. ̉here are four PNG police and an Australian doctor on board.
Unfortunately poor conditions hampered all efforts to reach the scene.
Bulgarian