Airlines PNG has grounded its fleet of 12 aircraft until further notice, following a crash near Madang.
In a statement on its website, the airline said there were 28 passengers and four crew members on the plane, and there appeared to be some survivors, while a number of people remained unaccounted for.
The company says it is working with the emergency service authorities to confirm this information in more detail.
The airline says it has grounded its Dash 8 fleet of 12 aircraft until further notice, and it is co-operating with authorities to mount rescue and recovery efforts.
Two pilots from Australia and New Zealand are believed to be among four people who have reportedly survived
