The Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) has launched an investigation into an aviation accident involving a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft, operated by Tropicair Limited, which sustained substantial damage during landing at Balimo Airstrip in Western province recently. The aircraft, registered P2-AMH, was on a charter flight from Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport to Balimo when it experienced an abnormal runway contact during touchdown at approximately 14:15 local time. According to initial reports, there were nine people on board — one pilot and eight passengers. No injuries have been reported. Tropicair Limited formally notified the AIC of the occurrence via email at 14:53. Preliminary assessments by the AIC indicate that the aircraft suffered significant damage to the nose landing gear, right main landing gear, and propeller blades. Minor damage was also observed at the rear section of the empennage. The Commission has classified the occurrence as an accident under the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13. A team of AIC investigators will be deployed to the site today to commence an on-site investigation. The scope of the investigation will cover aircraft and pilot performance, airstrip conditions, prevailing weather, aircraft maintenance and serviceability, organizational factors, and regulatory oversight. The AIC emphasized that its investigations are conducted independently and with the sole aim of improving aviation safety by identifying contributing factors and preventing future occurrences.