THE PNGDF has been involved in the search and rescue, and now recovery operations
involving the North Coast Aviation BN-2 Islander registered P2-SAM that crashed into the
Sarawaget mountain range on Sunday, 22nd December 2024.
PNGDF dispatched a helicopter on Monday, 23rd December 2024 at 0900hrs to join other
first responders including Manalos Aviation. Earlier that morning, a Manalos Aviation
helicopter sighted the wreckage. The PNGDF crew flew to the site and tried to winch the
crew down to the crash site however, the weather closed in preventing this attempt.
On Tuesday, 24th December 2024 a team from the PNGDF Special Forces were inserted
into Sapmanga Airstrip a few miles from the crash site. The team tracked several hours
to the crash site whilst also identifying a suitable Landing Zone approximately 1.5 km
south-east of the crash site.
Also, on Tuesday, 24th December 2024, a successful second attempt was made to winch
down a PNGDF personnel and a medic from Manalos Aviation. They both confirmed that
there were no survivors. The rescue operation had now turned into a recovery operation.
At that point, only the pilot’s body was recovered. The weather closed in again preventing
further recovery of the remaining bodies.
On Wednesday, 25th December and Thursday, 26th December 2024, no aircraft was able
to fly to the crash site as the weather prevented any flights over the Sarawaget Ranges.
Finally, on Friday, 27th December 2024, the PNGDF helicopter with crew were able to
bring equipment to the crash site and winch down 6 rescuers including 3 Long Range
Reconnaissance members. Supplies and equipment was also brought to the Landing Zone.
On Saturday, 28th December 2024, the weather cleared allowing for continued recovery
operations.
The PNGDF personnel, RPNGC Forensics and AIC investigators are on site;
with others at the Landing Zone, with a small team back at Sapmanga Airstrip.
The aim is for full recovery of all passengers from the crash site. PNGDF recovery
operations will end when this is achieved.
Be assured that the PNGDF has deployed considerable assets and personnel since
Monday, 23rd December 2024.
Deployed to Lae are helicopters and crew from the PNGDF Air Transport Wing; members of Long-Range Reconnaissance; support personnel from the Engineering Battalion which includes a doctor and a medic, and senior planners from HQPNGDF to assist Morobe Disaster center in this recovery effort.
The PNGDF also activated its Force operation Centre at HQPNGDF who are providing support to those deployed.
The efforts of the PNGDF and other agencies will be sustained despite the unfavourable
weather conditions and the difficult terrain. There is no doubt the remaining bodies will
be retrieved.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and its agencies, I would like to give my assurance
to the families, friends and colleagues of those lost in the tragic plane crash that PNGDF
and other agencies will remain on the ground and will continue its support to the cause
until the bodies of their loved ones are retrieved and the crash site is secured for our
counterparts to carry out further investigation. I thank the PNGDF members who are in
Morobe Province; other agencies and our local people on site for their efforts and
service,” Minister for Defence Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph said.
“During this time of bereavement, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and
loved ones of those lost, may our God Almighty comfort them at this time.”
