John Keane killed flying in PNG 8 Dec 1977

[errolmartyn]

John Keane, along with his 8 passengers, was killed on 17 Dec 77 while flying Cessna U206B P2-SEE in PNG.

A New Zealand newspaper report of 20 Dec 77, headlined Port Moresby, records that The body of a young New Zealnder was yesterday flown out of the mountain village of Bundi, where he was killed in the crash of a light aircraft on Saturday [17th]. . . . The name of the pilot, who first reports said was an Australian, has not yet been released.

Sinclair's BALUS Vol III gives the pilot's name as per the above.

I'm interested to hear from anyone who can confirm that Keane was indeed a New Zealander.

TIA,
Errol

[chinapilot]

The name is vaguely familiar but after my time in PNG.

Maybe try a post on ;

www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/152566-png-ples-bilong-tok-tok.html

Not many lapuns ( old farts) left on it now but somebody will have details.

Incidentally there appears to be no 206 crash in ASN on that date.

Just noticed that there were ‘eight’ passengers - even by PNG standards that was a bit of a load for a 206 so it may be another type?

[errolmartyn]

Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to access the PPrune site. There seems to be a problem with the question 'Location - where you live' no matter what I enter there. The next question is which country and it accepts New Zealand for that. Why then it would even ask for where I live is weird considering no other website I'm on asks this. Wasted too much time on this already so will have to give it a miss for now.

Cheers,
Errol

[baronbeeza]

Some PNG Fatal Accidents Over The Years
YEAR PILOT AIRCRAFT LOCATION FLT PHASE

1977 Dec J. Keane Cessna 206 -SEE Bundi Land

Pilot list for TAL please feel free to amend ...
Pilots
1950's
Bayles, John Duplicate with John Baylis - Unknown? Yes
Chadim, A.V (Tony)
Cresswell, Dick
Downie, John
Drury, Tom
Franck, Gerd
Harris, Ray Is this duplicate with Ray Harris - Ground
Staff 1950's? (YES. Ray Harris First G.M & Chief Pilot)
Hindwood, Harold
Johns, Bill
Matus, Mat
Nisbet, Adrian
Passlow, Bill
Peacock, Noel
Rhodin, Jim
Sherwood, Bill
Taylor, Les
Teichmann,
Woodward, Allan
1960's
Adam, Eric
Anderson, A.J.
d Arnold, Peter J.
Balmain. Boots
Barter, Sir Peter
Bartos, Chuck
Booth, Peter
Broomhead, Dick
Brumby, Darryl
Clayton, J
Condon, Mike
Douglas, Malcolm
Feeney, Mike
Feltman, Ray
Flanagan, Bernie
d Gaffney, John
Galliott, Graham
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 1 of 10
Tuesday 11 Jan. ‘05
11 May 2005. d Grant, Mike
Griffith, Peter
Hargreaves,
Hawk, G.
Hay, Colin
Honour, Gary
Howard, Sandy
Howell, John
Howell, Richard
Hull, Ian
Humphries, Graham
d Hurst, Peter
Illingworth, Arch
Ironsides, John
Jaromin, Jerry
Johnson-Bell, Patrick
Johnston, Frank
Knight, W.
d Leslie, Ian
Ludgate, Peter
Mann, Noel
Maskelyne, Jasper
d McClernon, Ross
McCook, Bryan
McIntosh, R.R.
McIvor, Clive
McNiece, Jim
Metzl, John
Miles, Barry
Miles, Dave
Nabor, Hank
Niven, David
d Oliver, Ian
Parker, Max B.
Paterson, Mike
Perkins, John
Pronk, Lew
Raspin, Brian
Robinson, Dave
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 2 of 10

11 Jan ‘05
11 May 2005. Rutter, John
Sharpe, Peter J.R.
Short, Malcolm
Sinclair, Don
Steele, Doug
Steenson, Eileen
Stewart, Mal
Syphers, Graham
Taunsell, Peter
Teasdale, Leigh
Thew, Dennis
Thorne, Greg
d Tschuchnigg, Helly
Tuohy, Mike
d Walker, Blinky
Wardill, Allan
Weir, Charles
d Wicks, George
Williams, Neale
d Wright, Laurie
1970's
Adams, C.
Alderson, A. (Tony)
Allen, Tim
Anderson, Richard
Anstis, Rob
Balson, John
Barnes. T
Bates, P. Duplicate with Peter Bates - 1980's?(Y)
Bayne, Eric
Bergus, Dave
Best, Ian
Black, Dave
Black, Keith
Black, Peter
Blanch, Trevor
Bloxham, Scott This person was known as Scott Bloxham -
was his surname Scott-Bloxham?
Bond, Lance
Boyd, Frank
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 3 of 10

11 Jan ‘05
11 May 2005 Brampton, R.
Brialey, Brian
Bull, Gary
Butler, Mike
d Cabrera, Jay
d Cafarella, A.
Cauldwell, Nick
d Channell, Chris
d Cheers, B.
Ciprian, Tony
Clampett, Len
Cleaver, Lenny
Colton, Chris
d Cousins, Peter
Cox, Garry
Curtis, Terry
Daly, John
d Davie, Robert
Deacon, R. J.
d Dennis, Gavin
Donnelly, John
Dorling, Bob
Duncan, Bruce
Edwards, G.
Fieldus, Ross
Fisher, J.
Fisher, Ray
Flynn, John
d Fox, John
Fraser, Don
d Garlick, M.
Gibbes, Bobby
d Giles, Peter
Gill, Rick
Gleeson, Trevor
Grace, Orm
d Gray, Robert
Grieg, George
Hall, Chris
Hamburger John
Hand Tony
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 4 of 10

11 Jan ‘05

11 May 2005. Hartnett, Geoff
d Hawkes, Malcolm
Henry, Graham
Hoff, Heinrich
d Hoffman, R.
Holt, Robin
d Hopwood, R.
Howe, D.
Howell, D.
Howell, Peter
Huff, Barry
Huff, Malcolm
d Hunt, Keith
d Hunt, P.
Huntington, Robin
Ilyes, Tony
Jerico, N
d Keane, John
Kendell, Guy
Kerr Adrian (Shakey)
Kidd, Lindsay
Kiiver, Ain
Kirkman, John
d Koipa, Raphael
Konstantinow, E.
Kumasi, Joe
Larsen, W. Bill
d Leamon, P.
Lee Garth
Lee, Gavin
Lincoln, Max
Manley, John
Mans, Vic
Marques, Paul
Martin, Nyron
McClure, Dave
McCourt, Laurie
McEnlly, J.
d McGraw, Doug
McIvor Wes
McKenzie, Doug
Merklin, Dave
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 5 of 10
11 Jan ‘05 d Millar, Jim
Mollinger, Trevor
Morris, D.
Nottley, Maurice
O’Grady Mike
O’Toole, Mike
Patrick, Alan
Paull, R.
d Rachinger, Rob
Rankin. W
Robertson, Col
Robertson, Dave
Rossiter, Liam
d Rowe, Richard
Scollay, Mike
Sellars, Ken
Simon, John
Skelton, A. Tony
d Slater, P.
d Smith, W.
Spencer, William
Stanley, P.
d Stanton, T.
d Stevenson, A.
Stevenson, Phil
d Stockel, Garth
d Tai, Gary Onga
Thiele, Geoff
Trollope, R. B.
Turner, R
Van Colina,
d Venville, G.T.
Waring.G
d Williams, Keith
d Wilson, B.
Wooten Ken
Yasi, Peter
1980's
Absolom, John
Ariti, Bill
d Arlo, Roland
Audus, Brett
Bartolini, Dan
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 6 of 10
Bates, Peter Duplicate with P. Bates - 1970's?
Beach Mike
Beacham, Clive
Bicknell, Alf
Boyce, Stewart
Broad, Peter
Brook Peter
Brooker, Neil
Cameron, Glen
Chubb, Graham
Constable, Bill
Cox, Peter
Craig, Gavin
Crane, Rob
Cronin, Paul Is this duplicate with Rob Cronin - Unknown?
Dodd, Kevin
Douglas, Hugh
Edwards, Peter
Ellis, Malcolm
Fennemore, Wren
Fitzgerald, Russ
Fox, Doug
Geary, Lindsay
Goodin, Wayne
Greeley, Mark
Gure, Lekwe
Hammescher,
Heggie Phil
Hannah, Stuart
Herbert, Col
Hill, Lex
Holder, Ian Ian used to work for Talair Cairns. Did he
work for Talair PNG?
Holmdon, Willy
d Hopwood, Geoff
Inkster, Peter
Johnson, Bruce
Johnson, Ken
Johnson, Paul
Kessey, John
Kidby, Lang
Koleala, Nat
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 7 of 10
11 Jan ‘05



Konai, Morus
Koralyo, Andui
Lawrie, Tas
Long, Graydon
Love, Greg
Lowery, Frank
Lucas, Doug
Lumsdaine, Ed
Lynch, Andrew
McArthur, John
McCook, Bruce
McGrew Peter
Mockunas, A.
Moran Cliff
Morgan, Clive
Morris, Dave
Muhl, John
Murray, Terry
Narara, Granger
Newport, Ron
Newton, Jeff
Norris, Glen
Parker, Kim
d Parr, Alex
Parr, Andy
Payne, Ernie
Peak, Tim
Pendray, Wally
d Peninsa, Tom
Perry, Charles
Priest, Robert
Rankin, Warwick
Robinson, Graham
Rutledge, Angus
Salter, Drew
Seeto, Paul
Sepok, Elanas
Setuve, Leslie
Sheppard, Ross
Simmons, Colin
Sissons, Rob
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 8 of 10

11 Jan ‘05 Slaughter, John
d Smith, Rob. B.
d Smith, Rob. J.
d Smith, Warren
Stafford, Ben
Storr, Mark
Taylor, Peary
Thomas, John
Tizzard, Steve
Tointon, Dave
Van Horck Karel
Vingrys, Algy
Wakefield, Tim
Walker, Eddie
Walker, John
Wanma, Danny
Webster, Bob
Wellington, Murray
Wheat, Malcolm
White, Mal
Wilkinson, Peter
Woodcock, Allan
Wright, Dave
Yarde, Chris
Yarde, M.
Young, Ben
Zadow, Terry
1990's
Hursthouse, Andrew
Leahy, Richard
Unknown
Aschman, John
Bassingthwaite, Was APNG (Patair) but not sure about TAL
- Peter Sharpe
Buchanan, Ron
Dangar, Dodi
Danneker, Ben
Fuller, Noel Was PX but not sure about TAL - Peter
Hoare, Mike
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 9 of 10
Shorthouse, Ken
Sunday, 22 August 2004 Page 10 of 10
11 Jan ‘05

[errolmartyn]

BB,

At least one Kiwi PNG fatality on your list that I know of - Ian Haywood Oliver, aged 33, died Mon 6 Nov 67 flying Beech Baron VH-GKJ.

My checking so far runs only up to 1978.

A work in progress!

Errol

[angelsonefive]

May 31, 2019 10:54:50 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to access the PPrune site. There seems to be a problem with the question 'Location - where you live' no matter what I enter there. The next question is which country and it accepts New Zealand for that. Why then it would even ask for where I live is weird considering no other website I'm on asks this. Wasted too much time on this already so will have to give it a miss for now.

Cheers,
Errol

Errol,

I have been a lurker and occasional poster on Pilot Prune for years. Would you like me to post a request for info. for you ?

[errolmartyn]

May 31, 2019 19:30:01 GMT 12 angelsonefive said:

May 31, 2019 10:54:50 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to access the PPrune site. There seems to be a problem with the question 'Location - where you live' no matter what I enter there. The next question is which country and it accepts New Zealand for that. Why then it would even ask for where I live is weird considering no other website I'm on asks this. Wasted too much time on this already so will have to give it a miss for now.

Cheers,
Errol

Errol,

I have been a lurker and occasional poster on Pilot Prune for years. Would you like me to post a request for info. for you ?

Ray,

If you would be so kind that would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Years ago, after reading their forum for a bit, I made one post on PPrune, introducing myself in their section for doing that, and it got deleted by their moderators, so I have never gone back. The first P stands for pricks I think.

[isc]

Too much prune has a certain effect too Dave. isc

[angelsonefive]

May 31, 2019 19:54:54 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

May 31, 2019 19:30:01 GMT 12 angelsonefive said:

Errol,

I have been a lurker and occasional poster on Pilot Prune for years. Would you like me to post a request for info. for you ?

Ray,

If you would be so kind that would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Errol

Hi Errol,

One reply so far, but no confirmation of the nationality of John Keane :

[ "The following is taken from the Balus Vol III book.

Weather was also a factor in the second crash, on 17 December, 1977. The pilot, John Keane, had only recently joined Talair. Aged twenty-five, he had only 421 flying hours logged when he touched down in blinding rain at Bundi in Cessna U206B, P2-SEE, some 450 metres beyond the normal point. The 206 careered, out of control, down the wet and slippery airstrip and plunged down a steep gorge. Keane and his eight passengers, all nationals (and including one child and three babies) died instantly. Inexperience and bad weather make a deadly combination.

Unsure if he was a Kiwi sorry." ]

I will check again later today.

[errolmartyn]

Thanks Ray,

Having only 421 hours to his credit would suggest that he'd not been in PNG for very long, and thus probably not well remembered by others who were also there at the time.

Cheers,
Errol

[angelsonefive]

Jun 1, 2019 11:59:36 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Thanks Ray,

Having only 421 hours to his credit would suggest that he'd not been in PNG for very long, and thus probably not well remembered by others who were also there at the time.

Cheers,
Errol

A second reply on the PPrune forum, but still no joy:

[ Knew John well. It was his second trip to Bundi that Saturday morning. He may have been a Kiwi, not sure and I've lost track of one who would know.]

We will get there yet.

[madmax]

Hi Baronbeeza. If the P Slater mentioned in your list is the same P (Peter) Slater from Carterton or Greytown who I flew with around 1970 he did not die in an aircraft accident but as I understand he choked to death after vomiting (possibly in his sleep) not many months after he arrived in PNG in the early 1970s.

[johnnyfalcon]

May 31, 2019 21:15:31 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Years ago, after reading their forum for a bit, I made one post on PPrune, introducing myself in their section for doing that, and it got deleted by their moderators, so I have never gone back. The first P stands for pricks I think.

I had a similar experience Dave, posted a contribution of note (I felt) and ended up with it being deleted. I questioned it by PM. Got told I was a troll...(this in spite of my profile indicating my flight experience and background). I never went back. WONZ is the only forum of which I am a member and even though I still have nothing of value to say I feel like part of the fam'. (albeit an illegitimate child from behind the bike sheds...)

[Dave Homewood]

Your contributions are always welcome and appreciated here John.

Other people have told me that PPRUNE is just a bunch of airline pilots having a continuous pissing contest of which airline is best, and they are not interested in discussion of actual aviation matters where their ego does not get stroked. Not my cup of tea at all so I stay well away after I was made so unwelcome on my first time posting.

[angelsonefive]

May 31, 2019 10:54:50 GMT 12 errolmartyn said:

Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to access the PPrune site. There seems to be a problem with the question 'Location - where you live' no matter what I enter there. The next question is which country and it accepts New Zealand for that. Why then it would even ask for where I live is weird considering no other website I'm on asks this. Wasted too much time on this already so will have to give it a miss for now.

Cheers,
Errol

Don't be too bothered by the request for a location, it is merely for the brief user profile that accompanies one's posts.
Most members use their country, city, or similar. Others prefer something whimsical like "over the rainbow", or "in the dog box" etc.

[isc]

It is sometimes handy to know which end of this rock people are coming from, and other times(Kiwi to Kiwi for example) which end of the country one is. For security its best to give a general location rather than a street address, and communicate thing like E-mail address by PM. isc

[thomarse]

Now, getting right on back to the subject of John Keane...

[boomerang]

Jun 1, 2019 16:05:25 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Your contributions are always welcome and appreciated here John.

Other people have told me that PPRUNE is just a bunch of airline pilots having a continuous pissing contest of which airline is best, and they are not interested in discussion of actual aviation matters where their ego does not get stroked. Not my cup of tea at all so I stay well away after I was made so unwelcome on my first time posting.

[boomerang]

Good Morning
I was with Talair from 1977-1979 and was a friend of John Keane. I did my checks and strip checks with Senior base pilot Bernie Flanagan as I based at Madang. John did his with the Chief Pilot Max Parker based out of Goroka.

I was tasked to assist with the retrieval of his body following the crash at Bundi. His body was delivered via a helicopter to a small airstrip in the Markham Valley. I flew with another pilot back to Madang and his body was then sent back to the mainland. Apparently he had attempted to land in poor weather and was half way down to strip when visual and went over the end killing some 11 adults and children (according to the missionary I spoke with). I viewed the wreck at the bottom of the ravine and still have the control wheel in my possession. I would have liked to have contacted his family however I didn't have any details.