A charter flight operated by Hevilift came to an abrupt end on Jan 15th, 2026, when an ATR 42-500 veered off the runway while landing at Simberi Airport in Papua New Guinea, striking an earth embankment and sustaining substantial damage.
The aircraft, registered P2-KSA, had departed Port Moresby bound for Simberi with 11 passengers and three crew members on board. At approximately 16:30 local time, the turboprop touched down on runway 28, but during the landing roll it swerved to the right, left the paved surface, and impacted an earthwall beside the runway.
Despite the force of the excursion, all occupants escaped without injury. The aircraft, however, suffered significant damage and remained at the airport following the accident.
Hevilift later confirmed that the runway excursion occurred in wet and slippery conditions, which likely contributed to the loss of directional control after touchdown. The airline said the aircraft sustained damage but emphasized that no one on board was hurt.
Papua New Guinea’s Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) also confirmed the event, stating that the aircraft was damaged during a runway excursion on landing. An investigation team was dispatched to Simberi, and a formal investigation has been opened to determine the exact causes and contributing factors behind the incident.
The event highlights the operational challenges of landing at remote airfields, particularly in adverse surface conditions, and the importance of runway condition assessment in ensuring safe operations.
