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

Date & Time: May 8, 1999 at 1921 LT
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV9
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Espíritu Santo – Port Vila
MSN:
694
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
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 Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Sangafa-Siwo

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV2
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
172B
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft landed hard, went out of control, veered off runway and crashed in the sea. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander in Olpoi: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1991 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV4
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Olpoi - Luganville
MSN:
220
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Seven minutes after takeoff from Olpoi Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located few km from the airstrip. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot, who was inexperienced in low flight operations over mountainous terrain, modified his route after takeoff to allow the passengers, students in forestry, to observe the local forets. The pilot lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Trislander III near Port Vila

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-RV3
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lenakel - Port-Vila
MSN:
349
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Port Vila following an uneventful flight from Lenakel, all three engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck coconut trees and crashed in a pasture. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion. It is believed that the fuel selector was positioned on the main fuel tanks which were empty at the time of the accident while fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks.