Pilots killed in remote PNG crash

Two New Zealand pilots who shared a passion for missionary work and flying were killed when their plane crashed near a remote airfield in Papua New Guinea.

Richard West, 40, and Chris Hansen, 37, died when the Twin Otter turbo-prop aircraft they were co-piloting crashed into a tree as they were trying to land in poor weather on a short airstrip in a narrow valley.

Nine passengers and a crew member were unscathed, but a tenth passenger suffered minor injuries. All survivors were Papua New Guineans.

Mr West and Mr Hansen flew for Mission Aviation Fellowship, an international Christian organisation that supports people in isolated regions of 15 countries.

The mission's New Zealand general manager, Rick Velvin, said both had trained for missionary work in Australia.

Mr Hansen started flying in Papua New Guinea six years ago and Mr West three years ago. Both were married with children.

Mr Velvin said they had been flying Wobegon villagers back from a trip to Tabubil, near the Oki Tedi mine, on a supply run.

The Wobegon airstrip was perched on the side of a hill, 1600m above sea level, less than 500m long and on an 8 per cent slope.

He said weather was thought to be a factor in the crash and he had heard there had been a few attempts to land.

Mr Velvin said the pilots flew the maximum hours each year to shift passengers and goods as well as emergency evacuations to hospitals.

But their main purpose was to promote the church in otherwise inaccessible areas.

Mr Hansen's mother, Julie, of Rotorua, told the Herald that she knew the work was dangerous.

"I did worry but I placed him in the hands of the Lord who I knew would watch over him. I have no reason why this happened but one day I will."

Mrs Hansen said her son had always loved flying.

He worked night shifts in a supermarket in his last year at Rotorua Boys High to pay for lessons and later worked as a Telecom lineman while training for his licence.

Mrs Hansen said she had last spoken to her son six weeks ago.

"I won't see him again because he is being cremated. He put in his will he wanted to be cremated to save the expense of sending him back. He would rather the money stayed with the organisation."

Mr West's father, Reg, of Warkworth, said as a pilot himself, he was aware of how risky Papua New Guinea was.

"On a normal day Richard would do 11 takeoffs and landings in extreme and unforgiving territory, places I'd only go in a helicopter."

Mr West said he was "immensely proud" of his son.

"He was doing what he loved and serving his people and his God."

Mr West said he had received five emails from Richard on Tuesday.

"He sent the emails then flew off to his death."

Richard West, who grew up in Mairangi Bay, had been head boy of Kristin School and actively involved in the Murrays Bay Baptist Church as a youth.

Mr West said he and his wife had planned to visit Papua New Guinea in April.