Region

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3T Turbo Otter off Vomo Island

Date & Time: Dec 29, 2009 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-GLL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nadi - Vomo Island
MSN:
288
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Vomo Island, near Viti Levu Island, Fiji, the single engine aircraft crashed into the sea few dozen metres offshore. All six occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Cessna 340 off Nadi

Date & Time: Sep 29, 2000 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N130DR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nouméa - Nadi
MSN:
340-0041
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-AFN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nausori - Nadi
MSN:
110-416
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
PC121
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
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:
Registration:
DQ-FIF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Suva - Ngau
MSN:
417
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
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:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FEO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lakeba - Suva
MSN:
9
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
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:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FEE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Suva - Suva
MSN:
14057
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
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 Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Matei

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FER
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LD-402
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Savusavu - Nadi
MSN:
14056
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
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:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Vanua Balavu - Suva-Nausori
MSN:
14078
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
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:
Operator:
Registration:
DQ-FBO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Suva - Bua
MSN:
195
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
PC071
Country:
Region:
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.