31 Jul 2004

PNG rescuers search for wreck after deadly plane crash

9:21 am on 31 July 2004

Rescue teams in Papua New Guinea have been unable to reach the site of a plane crash which is thought to have killed the pilot and two crew.

Poor weather has hindered efforts to reach the wreckage of a Airlines PNG cargo plane in a mountain valley on Friday.

The Airlines PNG pilot and his two-member crew were on flying from the capital to Onoge airport in the Central Province area of Goilala.

But an Air Niugini aircraft flying over the area picked up an emergency signal on Friday morning.

The Managing Director of Airlines PNG, Simon Wild, hasn't named those on board.

Mr Wild hopes helicopters will be able to land close to the crash site, about 90 kilometres from Port Moresby, later on Saturday.