The Fatal Sky - PNG

November 2008

PNG is one of the most hazardous flying environments in the world. Recent years have seen a disturbing number of crashes. All were poorly investigated due to corruption and lack of resources.
Safety standards have fallen off the edge. Air investigator Sydney OToole is concerned about PNGs inadequate aviation safety systems. In the past seven years, 19 crashes have never been looked into properly. The crash of Patrick Kundins plane eighteen months ago is a prime example of the systems breakdown. OToole believes that due process was not allowed to take place. The wreckage was plundered and the recordings of the crews distress calls were wiped out. With no legal framework to back them up, investigators are powerless: We have no legal mandate to do anything. We cant do a damn thing.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• png
• pilot
• death
• investigation
• journeyman
• pictures
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman pictures

[kutigoi]

The Highlands people of PNG should stop demanding compensation for guarding the crash site.These people are stupid-an ambarrashment to PNG.Bloody money face pigs.

[dgm1514]

The Indonesian example illustrates how this isn't an isolated issue (the lack of infrastructure) and could become more and more of a problem for more nations as time goes on and planes get older without being replaced.

[MrGonnamakeitbig]

i lived in papua new guinea for 6 years of my life! i have flown into many remote tribes and have see crash site myself

[vaultz1000]

some of my pilot friends crashed at the same area.. so sad..

[jpvskyfreak]

I think SIdney O'Toole has a massive fettish for riding big black Jins after a hard night on the SP larger ....

[undertake782]

I feel bad for their country. It's so poor and they have no way to make money to fund these. Countries fund wars but not fund things like this. It's horrible what money turns people into...

[videoclipits]

I wonder if they would let me operate there commercially with a ppl. That would be sweet.

[TheQantas767]

Being a Pilot myself we all in the industry know how bad things really are in PNG and that most pilots will refuse to work in the country knowing that the poor safety and lack of technology ie ILS and NDB, are a major contributor to crashes

[maxrioseco]

11:52 what a irony =/

[supertuber97]

i've had a terrifying flight from Jakarta to Bali. 737 engine virtually exploded 5 mins after take off. That was with Mandala Airlines. If that had happened on take off we'd have died. I think Indonesian Airlines are baned from Europe. What about PNG Airlines? Anyone know?

[gnarkillkicksass]

The military in PNG is full of corruption and even if they want to do something, where is the money going to come from? Over there is a different way of life EVERYONE has a gun and they carry it always.

[StormzDBD]

A sad tale. Good journo work though. Hopefully the govt sees this and acts before something tragic happens again.