Accredited Representative to the PNG AIC following the accident involving DHC-6-300, P2-BBM, at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 22 January 2026

On 22 January 2026, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, sustained a failure of its nose landing gear as the aircraft departed from Tapini Airstrip in Central Province, Papua New Guinea.

Parts of the landing gear that had fallen to the ground were recovered by local residents at Tapini. The flight continued to Port Moresby and on arrival at Jacksons International Airport, the flight crew completed an emergency landing with the nose gear inoperative.

Ground emergency services had been advised of the emergency and were standing by. The aircraft remained on the runway during the landing, however it sustained substantial damage from contact with the runway surface. There were 21 persons on board: 2 crew members and 19 passengers. No injuries were reported.

The Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation (AIC) has commenced an investigation into the accident in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO). The AIC requested assistance from the ATSB to examine components from the nose landing gear. To facilitate this support and to provide the appropriate protections for the information, the ATSB appointed an accredited representative in accordance with paragraph 5.23 of the ICAO Annex 13 and commenced an investigation under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Any enquires relating to the investigation should be directed to the Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission at www.aic.gov.pg(Opens in a new tab/window).