Adventist Aviation Services aircraft veers off runway in PNG
By Andrew Curran.
Papua New Guinea’s Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) has begun an investigation into a serious incident involving an Adventist Aviation Services PAC 750 XSTOL aircraft on January 9, 2026.
The aircraft, P2‑SDA (msn 201) experienced a runway excursion around 8.45 a.m. (local time) after landing at Kanabea Airport (KEX) in the Gulf Province. Six people were onboard. While no injuries were reported, the aircraft was extensively damaged.
Local outlets say the aircraft veered off the runway after skidding on the wet airstrip and coming to a stop in vegetation at the edge of the airstrip.
Kanabea Airport is not served by any scheduled airlines. Its 540 metre-brown clay runway is considered a challenging bush runway. It features a slight bend and a 2.8˚ slope.
The AIC has classified the incident as serious and will investigate it in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
An experienced pilot flying for an established operator
Adventist Aviation Services has been operating in Papua New Guinea since 1964, offering low-cost and reliable transport to remote communities that are often inaccessible by road.
In this case, they were conveying the body of a health worker home for burial.
Adventist Aviation Services say the operating pilot was experienced, having logged over 10,000 flying hours in the country. In a brief statement, Adventist Aviation Services said that despite strict safety standards, incidents can occur when operating in challenging and remote environments.
The AIC say they immediately began gathering information and dispatched a team of investigators to the site.
Papua New Guinea’s most up-to-date aircraft register, dated August 2025, indicates that Goroka-based Adventist Aviation Services has two PAC 750 XSTOLs in its fleet.
Photo credits: Accident Investigation Commission & Morobe Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com