Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in Ngau

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Vanua Air Charter
Registration:
DQ-FIF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Suva - Ngau
MSN:
417
YOM:
1974
Location:
Ngau
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach and landing to Ngau Airport were completed in poor weather conditions with fog and rain falls. After landing on a wet grassy runway, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway is 760 metres long). It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen metres further. All five occupants escaped injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed the landing at an excessive speed on a wet and short grassy runway.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-27 Islander in Suva: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FEO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lakeba - Suva
MSN:
9
YOM:
1967
Location:
Suva
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Lakeba Island Airport on a cargo flight to Suva, carrying one passenger, one pilot and a load of fish. On final approach to Suva-Nausori Airport runway 10, the pilot encountered strong winds. On short final, the aircraft was too low and collided with a taxi driving on a road passing about 200 metres short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants in the plane were killed while both occupants in the taxi were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot was completing the approach at an insufficient altitude. Strong winds were considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2B in Suva

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1991
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FEE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Suva - Suva
MSN:
14057
YOM:
1955
Location:
Suva
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (one pilot and one instructor) was completing a local training flight at Suva Airport. On approach, the crew failed to lower the landing gear, causing the aircraft to land on its belly. It slid on the runway for few dozen metres before coming to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approach and landing checklist and forgot to lower the landing gear.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-7 Islander near Bua: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1979 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FBO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Suva - Bua
MSN:
195
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
PC071
Location:
Bua
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
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.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B near Somosomo: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1965
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.114 Heron
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Suva – Somosomo
MSN:
14033
YOM:
1953
Location:
Somosomo
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
While approaching Somosomo Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and a limited visibility when the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Tavani located 18 km from the airport. Three passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Apparently due to the lack of visibility, the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to be too low and to struck the mountain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 in Viti Levu

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1955
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAQ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Suva – Nadi
MSN:
5008
YOM:
1951
Location:
Fiji Islands
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, Captain Brian McCook, left Suva-Nausori Airport at 0756LT Bound for Nadi. Enroute, while cruising at low altitude, the airplane hit trees and crashed in a gorge called Wainivatumbuso, near Nasauvere. Bleeding heavily from gashes to his face and legs, he walked through dense undergrowth until found by a native out pig hunting. The aircraft was written off.

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 on Bau Island

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1954
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Savusavu – Suva
MSN:
5005
YOM:
1950
Location:
Bau Island
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet on a flight from Savusavu to Suva, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector when all three engines lost power. He attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar on Bau Island but all undercarriage collapsed on landing and the aircraft came to rest. All eight occupants evacuated the cabin safely while the aircraft was later damaged beyond repair by salty water.
Source & photos via http://www.goodall.com.au
Probable cause:
All engines lost power due to an air lock in a fuel tank.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Beqa Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1945 at 1058 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4022
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Suva - Suva
MSN:
1470
Location:
Beqa Island
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The seaplane stalled and spun into water some 10 miles south of Beqa Island, while operating with No. 6 squadron. During a post maintenance test flight, the aircraft was deliberately stalled at 5,500 feet but entered an uncontrollable spin and dove into the sea near Beqa Island. Four crew and eight passengers were killed while two crew and four passengers got clear of the wreckage before it sank and survived.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Suva: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1943 at 2050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4002
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Suva - Suva
MSN:
1334
Location:
Suva
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from the Laucala Bay, off Suva, while on a night training sortie, the seaplane reached the height of 200 feet and then plunged into the bay, few hundred yards off shore. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The elevator trim tabs were wrongly set by the crew, causing the aircraft to crash.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Fiji Islands: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1943 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4006
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Suva – Auckland
MSN:
1338
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Suva Airport in the night on a routine mission to Auckland. While cruising over the Pacific Ocean, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Some debris were found few days later on beaches near Lauthala Bay but no trace of the 15 occupants.
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