Piper PA32R, VH-RHT, Kurwina Plantation (Bouganville Island) Papua New Guinea, 18 September 1983

The pilot was conducting a pleasure flight from Australia to the Solomon Islands via various aerodromes in Papua New Guinea. He reported that shortly after take-off the engine lost power and he was forced to ditch the aircraft, which subsequently sank in 100 metres of water. Investigation of this accident is the responsibility of the PNG authorities. The investigation indicated that the take-off attempt had been made with the aircraft loaded in excess of the maximum recommended for the length of strip available.