Zone
Cochabamba

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off Port Vila: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1999 at 1921 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV9
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Espíritu Santo – Port Vila
MSN:
694
YOM:
1980
Location:
Port Vila
All Vanuatu
Country:
Vanuatu
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The approach to Port Vila Airport was conducted by night and heavy rain falls. On final, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in the sea about 11 km from the airport, 8 km offshore. Five people were rescued while seven others including the pilot were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot may have lost control of the airplane after suffering a loss of situational awareness after he lost visual contact with the airport lights.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Espíritu Santo

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB
Registration:
CP-540
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
33594
YOM:
1945
Location:
Espíritu Santo
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft suffered an engine failure in flight and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

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

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1944 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4520
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Guadalcanal - Luganville
MSN:
5533
Location:
Espíritu Santo
All Vanuatu
Country:
Vanuatu
Region:
Oceania
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.
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