A flight to forget
Oh what a flight
Okuk's Last Flight
B707 Anecdotes
B707 Introduction
A Biblical Story
A Biblical Story 2
A Biblical Story 3
Forbidden Fruits
Joe's Jolly (Poem)
The Golfer
Suitably Restrained
PX Advertisment 1
PX Advertisment 2
PX Advertisment 3
PX Article 1
PX Article 2
PX Article 3
The Check Ride
First and Last Flt.
First Command
DC3 KOK - POM
The Holiday
Friends at Last
History of P2ANQ
Ferry Flight
Crayfish
FO Cassanova
Larry Blackman
Secret Revealed
Airbus A300
Cargo Capers
Doing it Differently
Side Slip
Larry Blackman
4th Floor Memo
International Arsonist
Office Works
Thru Eyes of a Hostie
Airline Anecdotes
SIR IAMBAKEY OKUK’s LAST FLIGHT. Posted by Peter Sharpe
When the charismatic, volatile politician, Sir Iambakey Okuk died on 14 November 1986, the Government decided to fly his body and funeral entourage around provincial centres as a last farewell, before taking his remains to Chimbu.
In Port Moresby, Okuk’s death sparked off vicious riots with highlanders going on the rampage, smashing shops, burning vehicles and generally displaying their grief in a most violent manner. The damage to shops was exacerbated by criminal elements taking advantage of the mayhem as an opportunity to rob and pillage stores.
As no expatriate Dash 7 pilots, including management pilots, wanted to fly the aircraft on Okuk’s last flight, I elected to do so but it was difficult to find a First Officer. After some convincing Bill Ariti from Kabiufa a few short miles out from Goroka, agreed to operate the flight as First Officer from 17-19th November.
We experienced no problems at the various coastal centres but with safety and security of the aircraft paramount (Okuk was instrumental in introducing the Dash 7 to Air Niugini and concern had been expressed that his tribesmen may damage the aircraft) it was decided to ferry the aircraft daily to and overnight in Madang.
Once in the highlands we became more alert and at Goroka, I made sure that both Bill and myself were highly visible assisting with the unloading of Okuk’s coffin and floral arrangements.
After a short while I noticed that the group congregating to pay respects to their leader were becoming restless, so quickly preparing the aircraft we departed Goroka for Madang. After our departure, the grieving Goroka tribesmen did try and wreck a couple of light aircraft on the tarmac.
We flew back the next day to uplift the party and transport them to Mount Hagen. Again there were no problems as sufficient crowd control was in place. Again, we over-nighted the aircraft in Madang, returning the next morning to fly the entourage to Chimbu, Okuk’s home place.
I was a little apprehensive about operating into Okuk’s home turf, being unsure what reception his tribe’s people may give us. Would there be sufficient crowd control to keep thousands of people off and from blocking the airport runway. Would the aircraft be able to depart. Would they decide to wreck Okuk’s dream aircraft.
These were some worries I had at the time, reducing somewhat as the funeral entourage included a number of parliamentarians and government officials, who I assumed would be provided with a degree of respect by the Chimbu’s
While waiting for the funeral party to arrive at Kagamuga airport and confirmation that the flight would proceed to Chimbu, I discussed my concern with the Air Niugini manager as well as Bill Ariti and the Cabin Attendants.
If the flight was to proceed to Chimbu, then It was my intention to plaster mud over the nose and doors of the aircraft, as well as over our face and shirts. Such decoration is a sign of mourning by which I hoped to lessen any possibility of damage to the aircraft or crew.
My concern turned out to be needless as at the last minute the Government decided to convoy the funeral entourage to Chimbu by road, providing the Waghi Valley people the opportunity to farewell their leader.
FOOTNOTE TO PETER SHARP’S “OKUK’S LAST FLIGHT”- Posted by Bill Moore
“Expect the Unexpected”
The civil unrest at Port Moresby and Jackson’s Airport following the death of Sir Iambakey Okuk also had International Airline ramifications.
On November 17 1986 I was flying the A300, “Big Bird”, from Brisbane to Port Moresby. About one hour after departure we were advised that Port Moresby was closed due to civil unrest. This necessitated a return to Brisbane with the flight being delayed until the following day.
When the charismatic, volatile politician, Sir Iambakey Okuk died on 14 November 1986, the Government decided to fly his body and funeral entourage around provincial centres as a last farewell, before taking his remains to Chimbu.
In Port Moresby, Okuk’s death sparked off vicious riots with highlanders going on the rampage, smashing shops, burning vehicles and generally displaying their grief in a most violent manner. The damage to shops was exacerbated by criminal elements taking advantage of the mayhem as an opportunity to rob and pillage stores.
As no expatriate Dash 7 pilots, including management pilots, wanted to fly the aircraft on Okuk’s last flight, I elected to do so but it was difficult to find a First Officer. After some convincing Bill Ariti from Kabiufa a few short miles out from Goroka, agreed to operate the flight as First Officer from 17-19th November.
We experienced no problems at the various coastal centres but with safety and security of the aircraft paramount (Okuk was instrumental in introducing the Dash 7 to Air Niugini and concern had been expressed that his tribesmen may damage the aircraft) it was decided to ferry the aircraft daily to and overnight in Madang.
Once in the highlands we became more alert and at Goroka, I made sure that both Bill and myself were highly visible assisting with the unloading of Okuk’s coffin and floral arrangements.
After a short while I noticed that the group congregating to pay respects to their leader were becoming restless, so quickly preparing the aircraft we departed Goroka for Madang. After our departure, the grieving Goroka tribesmen did try and wreck a couple of light aircraft on the tarmac.
We flew back the next day to uplift the party and transport them to Mount Hagen. Again there were no problems as sufficient crowd control was in place. Again, we over-nighted the aircraft in Madang, returning the next morning to fly the entourage to Chimbu, Okuk’s home place.
I was a little apprehensive about operating into Okuk’s home turf, being unsure what reception his tribe’s people may give us. Would there be sufficient crowd control to keep thousands of people off and from blocking the airport runway. Would the aircraft be able to depart. Would they decide to wreck Okuk’s dream aircraft.
These were some worries I had at the time, reducing somewhat as the funeral entourage included a number of parliamentarians and government officials, who I assumed would be provided with a degree of respect by the Chimbu’s
While waiting for the funeral party to arrive at Kagamuga airport and confirmation that the flight would proceed to Chimbu, I discussed my concern with the Air Niugini manager as well as Bill Ariti and the Cabin Attendants.
If the flight was to proceed to Chimbu, then It was my intention to plaster mud over the nose and doors of the aircraft, as well as over our face and shirts. Such decoration is a sign of mourning by which I hoped to lessen any possibility of damage to the aircraft or crew.
My concern turned out to be needless as at the last minute the Government decided to convoy the funeral entourage to Chimbu by road, providing the Waghi Valley people the opportunity to farewell their leader.
FOOTNOTE TO PETER SHARP’S “OKUK’S LAST FLIGHT”- Posted by Bill Moore
“Expect the Unexpected”
The civil unrest at Port Moresby and Jackson’s Airport following the death of Sir Iambakey Okuk also had International Airline ramifications.
On November 17 1986 I was flying the A300, “Big Bird”, from Brisbane to Port Moresby. About one hour after departure we were advised that Port Moresby was closed due to civil unrest. This necessitated a return to Brisbane with the flight being delayed until the following day.
