John Keane killed flying in PNG 8 Dec 1977

[Dave Homewood]

Very sad.

[keaneas]

Mar 23, 2021 10:28:11 GMT 12 boomerang said:

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.

[keaneas]

I am John Keane's sister, Francine Keane.  I was 18 when my brother John, who was just 25, and flying for Talair in order to get the hours up to fly for Qantas, died in a plane crash at Bundi in New Guinea on 17th December 1977.  I don't think any of my family, especially me, has ever recovered from this horrendous accident.  The telegram sat in a post office in New Guinea over the weekend and was not delivered to us in Sydney until the following Monday.  In the meantime, a newspaper had reported his death and relatives were contacting us to find out if it was "our John Keane" to which we assured them it was not.  And then Monday arrived. My eldest brother called me at work and I dropped the phone. 
Years of untreated depression followed for me with no one understanding the enormity of this loss. For years I dreamt that, although I, along with my older brother, father, and one of my 3 sisters, viewed his body, that he had not died at all but had wanted a new life somewhere.  

Me and my siblings used to fly in light aircraft from Bankstown airport in Sydney quite regularly with John.  He was meticulous in his flight preparations. There was an enquiry into the accident which concluded that my brother had been given clearance to land in very bad weather and that, when he realised that he had landed short of the runway, he tried to rev up his engines so that he could take off again, however, a tree stump had been left at the end of the runway and the wheels were caught in it causing the plane to go into the ravine and crash.  For years I imagined my brother's last words as he realised what was happening.  Nothing can prepare you for this type of loss...

Kind regards
Francine Keane

[Dave Homewood]

Thank you for your post, Francine. That is such a heartbreaking story, even after all these years. I am sorry for your loss, and for the years of torment it has caused you.

[johnnyfalcon]

Yeah...same sentiments here. Please accept my heartfelt sorrow for you and your family

[keaneas]

Aug 27, 2023 16:53:21 GMT 12 keaneas said:

Mar 23, 2021 10:28:11 GMT 12 boomerang said:

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.

[keaneas]

Hello, not sure if you saw my post, or if you also use a name other than 'boomerang'? If you are able to tell me more about the time you spent with my brother, John Keane, in New Guinea in 1977, I would be incredibly grateful. We understood he was house sitting for a while and his letters were very descriptive of the conditions in New Guinea, including the natives not understanding aeroplanes. To this day, I have nightmares about his accident. I would like to post a few photos if that is possible? Francine Keane