Papua New Guinea crash pilot has 30 years' experience. Airlines PNG, de Havilland Dash 8-100, P2-MCJ, Flight CG-1600.

PNG crash pilot has 30 years' experience

Benjamin Preiss

THE Australian pilot who survived a plane crash that killed 28 people in Papua New Guinea had 30 years' experience flying in the country.

William Spencer, 64, of the Sunshine Coast, was being treated for a leg injury at a hospital in Port Moresby last night. He was among four people who survived the crash.

Mr Spencer's son-in-law, Conal Hanna, said the pilot loved flying planes in PNG.

''He's fluent in Pidgin and has a great fondness for the New Guinean people,'' Mr Hanna said. ''While I haven't spoken to him I know how distraught he will be at this loss of life.''

The family was trying to contact Mr Spencer last night.

Mr Hanna said Mr Spencer had been working with Airlines PNG for about a year. He had also worked in Australia, including a job as an instructor for Singapore Airlines.

A New Zealand pilot also survived. The two others are believed to be a cabin crew member and a passenger.

The plane took off from Lae but crashed about 20 kilometres south-east of Madang on Thursday afternoon. Local media reported the Dash 8 plane flew into bad weather.

At Madang's Modilon General Hospital staff laid out tarpaulins for the dead near the main gate. Last night family members of the crash victims gathered on the hospital lawns.

Treacherous terrain hampered efforts to recover the bodies of the victims, many of whom were on their way to a graduation ceremony at Divine Word University.

Poor radio communication with staff who were sent to collect the bodies and a lack of helicopters made it difficult to reach the crash site.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said there was no indication that any Australians died.

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