Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-7 Islander near Bua: 9 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 12, 1979 at 1020 LT
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FBO
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Suva - Bua
MSN:
195
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
PC071
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
8835
Circumstances:
While approaching Bua on a short 35-minute flight from Suva-Nausori Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. At an altitude of 1,450 feet, the twin engine airplane crashed in a hilly and wooded area located about 10 km northeast of Bua. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. All nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the pilot in command continuing the flight into conditions where he lost visual reference with the surface which resulted in the aircraft colliding with the terrain.
