Kiwi plane crash survivor 'never showed fear'

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LATEST: The sister of the New Zealander who was the sole survivor of Tuesday's plane crash in Papua New Guinea says she felt "utter disbelief" when she heard he was alive.

Kelby Cheyne, 25, originally from Dunedin but now living in Toowoomba, inland from Brisbane, was the co-pilot in the chartered Trans-Air twin-engine jet, which slid off a wet runway on Misima Island killing another New Zealander and three Australians.

Mr Cheyne was believed to have escaped through a cockpit window.

His sister, Selena Cheyne, said she had felt "utter disbelief and hopeful relief" when she heard her brother had survived.

"It's been crazy," she told The Australian newspaper.

"There's been a lot of mixed reports but he's only got severe bruising, he doesn't have a broken leg. Then there are the psychological scars."

Ms Cheyne, who was flying to Townsville, where Mr Cheyne is in hospital, this afternoon, said her brother had been flying for years but had been nervous about flying in Papua New Guinea.

"He was concerned about the safety, but he never showed any fear," she said.

Mr Cheney could be released from hospital within days.

In a statement today, Mr Cheyne's family thanked everyone for their support and requested privacy.

"We wish to say that our son and brother Kelby Cheyne is recovering well in the Townsville Hospital," the statement read.

"He has sustained minor injuries and is expected to be discharged from hospital in the next few days.

"We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in this accident."

The dead New Zealander has not yet been named. The Australians killed were Trans-Air part owner Les Wright, Sydney-based marine pilot Chris Hart, and Darren Moore from Western Australia.

Misima police officer Sergeant Dick Wadnawi said rescue efforts were been hindered because the watching officers did not have firefighting equipment.

"We couldn't get close because of the heat and we were scared of the explosions and the smoke," he said. "If we had (firefighting equipment), we could have got closer."

Civil Aviation Authority of Papua New Guinea air safety director Wilson Sagati would not comment on a possible lack of firefighting equipment and said investigations were continuing.

"We have retrieved the flight box recorder and it has been handed over to our Accident Commission," Mr Sagati said.

- NZPA