NZ-trained pilot captained doomed PNG plane

The plane was transporting tourists to the Kokoda Track (pictured), a trail linking the southern and northern coasts of Papua New Guinea. Photo / Wikimedia Commons image by Luke Brindley

PORT MORESBY - The cause of a charter plane crash near Kokoda that killed 13 people including nine Australians won't be known for some time, according to the head of Airlines Papua New Guinea.

Airlines PNG chairman Simon Wild defended the experience of the crew operating the flight.

Captain Jannie Moala had completed her pilot training in New Zealand, before her flying career in PNG and commenced flying Twin Otter aircraft with Airlines PNG in 2005.

She had nearly five years' experience on that aircraft type involving some 2500 hours flying, and Ms Moala had flown the Port Moresby to Kokoda route on numerous occasions.

"We will not know the exact cause for some time and have launched a full investigation and will work with authorities to establish the cause of the accident," Mr Wild said.

He said Airlines PNG pilots are some of the most experienced in the world in flying this type of aircraft and in this type of environment.

The Daily Telegraph in Sydney said he revealed an audio recording contained the last voice transmissions from Ms Moala, and thet the pilots told air traffic controllers "they had decided to climb" moments before their plane smashed into a mountain.

Ms Moala was said to have radioed that the Airlines PNG Twin Otter turboprop was descending on to the Kokoda airstrip.

But a few minutes later, Ms Moala, calmly radioed that "they had decided to climb and that they were climbing".

Within moments the plane had hit a mountain just five minutes from the airfield.

Airlines PNG was founded in 1987 as charter company Milne Bay Airlines by a plantation owner and has grown into a significant domestic carrier.

It was reported to have had a significant crash record under its first name, but gained its airline licence in 1997.

Since being renamed and re-organised its only fatal crashes have been two pilots operating an air freight flight in 2004, and the 13 people this week.

The airline hired former Air New Zealand/Ansett chief executive Gary Toomey in June to drive its expansion plans.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the passengers and of course our crew's relatives," Mr Wild said.

First Officer Royden Sauka completed his pilot training in Australia, and also started flying Twin Otter aircraft in 2005 with Airlines PNG.

He too had in excess of 2000 hours experience flying that same aircraft type.

Mr Sauka was also considered a very capable pilot and was also very familiar with the Port Moresby to Kokoda route, the airline said.

"We will be doing whatever we can to support the families during this very trying time while the recovery efforts continue," Mr Wild said.

- AAP