Twin Otter Lands Without Nose Gear After Takeoff Separation

A Tropicair de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 X2 successfully completed an emergency landing at Port Moresby-Jacksons International Airport after its nose landing gear separated during takeoff from a remote airstrip.

The aircraft, registration P2-BBM, experienced the nose gear separation during takeoff from Tapini Airstrip. Despite the mechanical failure, the crew continued the flight to Port Moresby-Jacksons International Airport where they performed an emergency landing on Runway 32L without the nose gear.

The emergency landing resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft but no fatalities or injuries were reported. Video footage of the incident shows the nose gear leg trailing a wire during the landing sequence.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, local residents at Tapini recovered the separated nose gear assembly that was left behind during the takeoff incident.

The Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) has issued a media statement regarding the accident and launched an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the nose gear separation.

The Twin Otter is a popular utility aircraft commonly used for operations at remote airstrips throughout Papua New Guinea's challenging terrain.