The body of the pilot from the plane that crashed near Sapmanga in Morobe Province has been recovered and flown to Lae, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso confirmed today. Tragically, there were no survivors among the five people aboard the aircraft. Rosso said the plane, which went missing on Sunday, was carrying four passengers and the pilot en route to Nadzab Airport when it crashed into dense jungle at an altitude of approximately 8,400 feet. He said Search efforts began immediately after the aircraft was reported missing around 10:30 AM on Sunday by initial searches conducted by Manolos Aviation Limited, were unsuccessful. However, on Monday morning, a joint operation with Manolos Aviation located the crash site during an aerial reconnaissance between 6:30 and 6:45 AM. The crash site is in a rugged and remote area, making access extremely challenging. Deputy Prime Minister Rosso confirmed that all five occupants died on impact, and the crash was followed by a fire. "The site is very difficult to access due to the dense jungle and steep terrain," Rosso said. Specialized recovery teams, including personnel from the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF), police air tactical units, and forensic experts, have been deployed to retrieve the remaining bodies. The operation has been slowed by adverse weather and the logistical difficulties of working in such a remote location. “The crash site is one of the highest points in Morobe Province, with no nearby villages or landing sites." "This has required the use of winch systems and, potentially, the clearing of a landing path,” Rosso explained. Efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining four bodies, with support from Hevilift and PNGDF helicopters. Rosso extended his condolences to the victims' families, noting the especially heartbreaking timing of the tragedy on Christmas Day. “I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the pilot and passengers. I also want to thank all personnel involved in the search and recovery efforts, including Manolos Aviation, PNGDF, police, and other support teams for their dedication under challenging circumstances,” he said. Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, but authorities are prioritizing the recovery of the victims and offering support to their families.