Fiji Islands

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Nouméa - Nadi

MSN:

340-0041

YOM:

1972

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On September 29, 2000, at 1600 hours local time, a Cessna 340, N130DR, was destroyed when it impacted the water in Nadi Bay, about 1,500 feet short of the runway 09 threshold at Nadi International Airport in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The commercial pilot, a citizen of the United States and the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight, operated by Benchmark Aviation under 14 CFR Part 91, that departed from Magenta Airport, New Caledonia, NWWM at 1200.

Crash of an Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirante near Nasirotu: 17 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1999 at 0533 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

DQ-AFN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nausori - Nadi

MSN:

110-416

YOM:

1983

Flight number:

PC121

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Aircraft flight hours:

13563

Aircraft flight cycles:

22411

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Suva-Nausori Airport at 0525LT on a regular schedule service (flight PC121) to Nadi, carrying 15 passengers and two pilots. The crew continued to climb via route 28 Golf in relative good weather conditions. At 0532LT, the pilot reported 5,500 feet 22,4 km from the airport. One minute later, he reported at 6,000 feet when the aircraft disappeared from radar screens, eight minutes after takeoff. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 540 metres in a wooded an mountainous area located in the Mataicicia Mountain Range, 35,2 km west of Nausori Airport, south of the village of Nasirotu. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all 17 occupants were killed, among them nine Fidjians, five Australians, one New Zealander, one Chinese and one Japanese.

Probable cause:

The following findings were identified:
- The wreckage was found 3 km south of the intended route,
- The aircraft struck a tall tree with its right wing 390 metres above ground, flew for another 1,300 metres then crashed,
- The minimum safe altitude for the area is 5,400 feet,
- No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft,
- Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause why the crew failed to comply with the minimum safe altitude,
- The captain had insufficient rest time prior to the flight and consumed an above-therapeutic level of antihistamine prior to the flight, which may have affected his capabilities to fly,
- The operator's published standard operating procedures for the Embraer Bandeirante aircraft were inadequate,
- Weather conditions were considered as good with a 40 km visibility, scattered clouds at 2,200 feet and no wind,
- The total weight of the aircraft was just below the MTOW.

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:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Suva - Ngau

MSN:

417

YOM:

1974

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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:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

Schedule:

Lakeba - Suva

MSN:

YOM:

1967

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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:

Operator:

Registration:

DQ-FEE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Suva - Suva

MSN:

14057

YOM:

1955

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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 Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Matei

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1988

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

DQ-FER

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

MSN:

LD-402

YOM:

1968

Location:

Matei (Taveuni Island)

All Fiji Islands

Country:

Fiji Islands

Region:

Oceania

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Circumstances:

On final approach to Matei Airport, the crew initiated a go-around procedure when the twin engine aircraft struck a tree and crashed, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2B in Nadi: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1986 at 1348 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

DQ-FEF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

Schedule:

Savusavu - Nadi

MSN:

14056

YOM:

1955

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On final approach to Nadi Airport runway 21, at an altitude of 500 feet, the right flap jammed in a 35° angle while the left one was down at 60°. This caused the aircraft to roll to the left and to crashed short of runway. Both pilots and nine passengers were killed while three others were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Unsecured non-standard flap attachment pin migrated upward and lodged in a lightening hole.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2 in Vanua Balavu: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1986 at 1145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

DQ-FEC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Vanua Balavu - Suva-Nausori

MSN:

14078

YOM:

1955

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Circumstances:

Takeoff from Vanua Balavu Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions. During the takeoff roll, the airplane deviated to the left then veered off runway and eventually collided with trees. A passenger was killed while both other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot lost control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll in poor weather conditions (low visibility) as he was partially incapacitated due to medication.

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: