Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 on Mt Tokugmera: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
VP-PAD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lenakel – Ipao
MSN:
5002
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
1853
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Lenakel Airstrip (Tanna Island) on a flight to Ipao, Futuna Island, Vanuatu. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and as the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted. Three days later, the burned wreckage was found in a gorge located on Mt Tokugmera (1,084 meters high) located in the center of Tanna Island. All eight occupants were killed, including the airline's Chief Pilot and Operations Manager, Paul H. Burton.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sandringham 4 in Port Vila

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-EBW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
SH.30C
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing in the harbor of Port Vila, ready for takeoff, the pilot in command was apparently forced to make an evasive maneuver due to the presence of canoe's crossing his path. Doing so, the seaplane hit coral that punctured the bottom of the fuselage, causing water to penetrate into the aircraft that sank on its nose and was partially submerged. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.
Photos via http://www.aussieairliners.org/

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Luganville

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
NZ3529
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15205/26650
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered to the right, went off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest into trees. The aircraft was written off but there were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura on Malekula Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4570
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Port Vila - Port Vila
MSN:
6138
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew left Port Vila Airport on a maritime patrol flight but failed to return. SAR operations were conducted but the wreckage and the four dead bodies were found six weeks later on the slope of a mountain on Malekula Island.
Crew:
F/Lt Francis Rolston,
P/O Norman Underwood,
F/O Alexander McInnes,
LAC Peter Crees.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Luganville: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48280
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Overshot on landing, hit an obstacle and crashed. Three crewmen were killed while all six other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed P-1 Ventura off Luganville: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1944 at 1227 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4538
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luganville - Luganville
MSN:
5740
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a bombing exercise over the Palikulo Bay, off Luganville. The twin engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in the morning, and while performing a turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that overturned and dove into the sea few yards off shore. All seven occupants were killed.
Crew (9th Squadron):
F/L Gordon McLachlan,
F/L Bernard O'Fagan,
F/O Maxwell Harwood,
F/O Lionel Wood,
P/O Augustine Thurston,
Lt R. Fresb,
A. Stinson, air gunner.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Luganville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08386
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1310
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff with depth charges and exploded.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Cape Queiros: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1944 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4520
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guadalcanal - Luganville
MSN:
5533
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found.
Crew:
Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood,
Pilot Officer Francis Baird,
Flight Sergeant Robert Carter,
Sergeant Thomas Murray,
Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty,
Corporal Edward Ayrey,
Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.
Probable cause:
According to officials, an engine was on fire on approach when crew lost control of the aircraft in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Luganville

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-23722
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9584
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft bell landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL off Luganville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-23711
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
9573
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea 24 km off Luganville, killing all four crew members.
Crew:
1st Lt Robert H. Healy,
2nd Lt Augustus W. Miller,
Cpl Joseph E. O'Connell,
M/Sgt Harry D. Wlodarsky.