NZer sole survivor of PNG plane crash

A plane that crashed in remote Papua New Guinea, killing one New Zealander and injuring another, was flown by a company with links to a defunct airline criticised over a 2005 crash in which 15 people were killed.

One New Zealander and three Australians, including the plane's pilot, were killed when the chartered Trans Air twin engine Cessna Citation slid off a wet runway and erupted into flames yesterday afternoon in Misima, in Milne Bay Province on PNG's southern tip.

Chris Hart, a Sydney-based marine pilot, is confirmed dead while Trans Air's owner Les Wright is also understood to be among the three Australian dead.

Rescuers said that the plane's New Zealand co-pilot, the only survivor, suffered a badly broken leg and bruising, but was conscious and able to communicate.

Misima police Chief Sergeant Moses Hilibobo said the co-pilot was thrown clear when the plane crashed.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the co-pilot was being transported back to the capital Port Moresby before continuing on to Australia for further treatment.

Mr Smith said the black box flight recorder had been recovered and, although the formal investigation of the crash was a matter for Papua New Guinea, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had offered technical assistance.

"We regrettably have a lot of experience with plane crashes in Papua New Guinea, and we have in the past, and expect on this occasion to work very closely and successfully with PNG officials," Mr Smith said.

Australian television today reported the runway at Misima has been covered with algae in the past, and that possibly contributed to the plane losing control.

"According to eyewitnesses, the plane landed, couldn't brake and crashed into palm trees. It was a small twin-engined jet," Mr Hilibo told The Australian newspaper.

"Four people were killed - actually they were burnt in the flames when it (the plane) crashed on landing."

Mr Wright is linked to the now defunct Australian airline Transair, which went into liquidation after a 2005 crash at Lockhart River in north Queensland in which 15 people died.

He was the company's chief pilot, chief executive, and a working line pilot at the time.

In August 2007, Queensland coroner Michael Barnes was critical of Transair and Mr Wright for failing to adequately monitor the airline's pilots and ensure they were complying with company and civil aviation policies.

Mr Barnes found pilot Brett Hotchin and Transair were to blame for the Lockhart disaster.

He also found Mr Wright, who moved to PNG after the crash, was "stretched too far" in his three roles for the company.

New Zealand's High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw and Australian officials from the High Commission in Port Moresby flew early this morning to the remote crash site.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said tonight it was seeking further information.

In August last year, 13 people were killed in a PNG plane crash, including nine Australian Kokoda Track trekkers.

PNG's rugged landscape and unpredictable weather make for incredibly tough flying conditions but a lack of institutional support for aviation safety has also plagued the industry.