A New Zealand pilot who survived a plane crash in Papua New Guinea which killed up to 28 people is believed to be First Officer Campbell Wagstaff.
The Airlines PNG Dash 8 plane, carrying 32 people, crashed in dense forest on Papua New Guinea's north coast about 5pm local time (8pm NZT) on Thursday.
First Officer Wagstaff, who was one of four survivors, has more than 2,500 hours flying experience, the Associated Press reported.
The plane's other pilot, Australian captain 64-year-old Bill Spencer also survived the crash.
He has 45 years flying experience, including 35 years in Papua New Guinea.
Trevor Hattersley, the Australian High Commission's warden in Madang, told Australian Associated Press the Australian pilot had injuries to his legs and was in a stable condition.
He was being flown out of Madang on Friday afternoon in the care of Australian consular staff.
The other two survivors are believed to be a cabin crew member and one passenger.
The twin-propeller plane was on a flight from Lae, PNG's second largest city, to the resort centre of Madang, when it crashed during a violent storm near the mouth of the Gogol River, about 20km southeast of Madang.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says it has no information to suggest any other New Zealanders, aside from the pilot, were on board.
The New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby is providing consular assistance, MFAT says.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it appears no Australians died in the crash.
At Madang's Madilon General Hospital, staff laid out tarpaulins for the dead near the main gate to the hospital.
However, treacherous terrain has hampered efforts to recover the bodies of the crash victims, many of whom were on their way to a thanksgiving ceremony at Madang's Divine Word University.
NZN