Fed: Air crash investigators to be sent to PNG

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2009
Fed: Air crash investigators to be sent to PNG

CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - Australia will send air crash investigators to Papua New Guinea
(PNG) after a plane carrying 13 people went down in mountainous country along the Kokoda
Track.

Seven Victorians and two Queenslanders intending to walk the iconic track are among
those who were aboard the Twin Otter aircraft which went missing on Tuesday.

There are reports a rescue helicopter crew spotted the wreckage of the plane on Wednesday
morning, but there is no word of survivors.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said four Australian Transport Safety Bureau
investigators would be sent to PNG later on Wednesday.

"We are providing, as you would expect, every bit of support that we can through all
of our agencies," Mr Albanese told Fairfax Radio Network on Wednesday.

Opposition frontbencher Joe Hockey said he had flown between Isurava and Port Moresby in PNG.

"I must say (it) was the hairiest helicopter trip I've ever had in my life because
it was probably a similar weather pattern to what it is now," he said.

Rescue efforts have so far been hampered by low-hanging clouds and rain.

The wreckage is also believed to be located in extremely isolated and rugged terrain.

"I could barely think of a more difficult flying environment than was reported yesterday,"

Mr Hockey said.

He said he hoped reports the wreckage had been found were true and that there were survivors.

But he conceded it would be "very difficult" to find any.

AAP bsb/rl/ldj/de

KEYWORD: PNG PLANE ALBANESE

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