Trans Air PNG Cessna Citation II P2-TAA crashed after overshooting the runway while landing at Misima Island in PNG on August 31, killing four, including Australian regional aviation identity Les Wright, and leaving one in hospital.
The crash killed Trans Air PNG co-owner and former Transair chief pilot Les Wright, two other Australians and a New Zealander. Another New Zealander, Kelby Cheyne, the aircraft’s copilot, is recovering in a Townsville hospital.
An investigation into the crash will be undertaken with the assistance of the ATSB, and the aircraft’s voice recorders have been recovered.
Queensland based Transair operated the Metro which crashed at Lockhart River in far north Queensland in 2005, killing the 15 passengers and crew on board, while CASA has unsuccessfully tried to ban Trans Air PNG flying to Australia. Earlier this year an Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision overturned CASA’s refusal to issue Trans Air PNG a foreign AOC.
“Les you will be missed,” posted a former pilot evidentally employed by Les Wright on the Pprune pilot forum website. “You gave so much to so many young guys in GA. Thank you…what more can I say. A sad…sad day. Good bye Sir Les…Lukim you wontok.”
