A New Zealander is the sole survivor of a fiery plane crash in a remote part of Papua New Guinea which killed another New Zealander and three Australians.
The Trans Air charter jet, carrying five people, crashed as it landed in heavy rain on Misima Island, Milne Bay Province, about 500 kilometres southeast of Port Moresby, about 6.30pm (NZT) yesterday.
• NZ High Commissioner on way to PNG crash site
The survivor, an Australian permanent resident, suffered heavy bruising but was conscious and able to talk, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement today.
"It is with deep regret that I advise Trans Air has confirmed that four of those on board, including three Australians and one New Zealand citizen, have died."
Details of the crash itself were still emerging but reports indicated the aircraft overshot the Misima runway, Mr Smith said.
Misima police Chief Sergeant Moses Hilibobo told The Australian newspaper last night: "According to eyewitnesses, the plane landed, couldn't brake and crashed into palm trees. It was a small twin-engined jet.
"Four people were killed - actually they were burnt in the flames when it (the plane) crashed on landing."
The sole survivor, thrown clear when the plane crashed, was believed to be the co-pilot of the aircraft, Sergeant Hilibobo said.
The names have not yet been released, but Australian media named one man as 61-year-old Sydney marine pilot Chris Hart.
A local, Eluida Killion, also told the paper a rescue team, including local police and government officials, had tried to assist those on board the plane but been unable to do so because the "plane had lots of flames and fire".
"When they got there, there was not much they could do because the plane was already on fire," Mr Killion said.
Mr Killion said the pilot was being treated at the local hospital.
"Everyone died except for the pilot," he said. "It has been very bad weather, heavy rain all day."
Consular officers in Port Moresby and Canberra were working with Trans Air and local authorities to contact the families of those affected by the crash.
Australian Reef Pilots (ARP) on Tuesday night released a statement confirming one of their marine pilots died in the crash.
ARP managing Director Craig Southerwood said he was a 61-year-old Sydney resident.
He said ARP staff who were on the ground waiting to meet the marine pilot had witnessed the accident.
"(They) are obviously quite shocked," Mr Southerwood said.
"This area is very remote and it was raining heavily at the time of the crash. We have also provided diesel to local medical facilities to get the power on.
"We have staff guarding the plane wreckage as well.
"We are all incredibly saddened by the loss of a much loved member of our team."
Mr Southerwood said the marine pilot, a passenger aboard the Trans Air Citation jet, was on his way to board a ship to guide it through the Great Barrier Reef and Australian waters.
Milne Bay governor's spokesman Robin Wayuba said Misima Island locals contacted their office, saying the plane skidded off the runway after landing.
"The plane crashed into nearby trees and burst into flames.
"Locals say five people were on board and the weather had been wet and windy all day.
"They said only the pilot survived and (he) is in a critical condition in the local hospital."
It is still unclear how many people were aboard the charter plane.
ARP provides help for vessels navigating in difficult shipping lanes and provides emergency and temporary port pilots and marine consultancy.
k
