Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Port Vila

Date & Time: Aug 1, 2011 at 1700 LT
Operator:
Registration:
YJ-FLY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Whitegrass - Port Vila
MSN:
207-0362
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was performing a taxi flight from Whitegrass Airport located on Tannu Island, to Port Vila, with six passengers and a pilot on board. While approaching Efate Island, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and attempted an emergency landing in the garden of the Lagon Resort, south of Port Vila. On touchdown, the airplane lost its nose gear and left main gear, cartwheeled and came to rest, broken in two. All occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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 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.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander near Lenakel: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-OCRH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lenakel - Port Vila
MSN:
221
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lenakel Airport, en route to Port Vila, the pilot wanted to show cattle to a passenger and decided to reduce his altitude when the twin engine airplane struck trees. Out of control, it crashed inverted in an open field located about 20 km from Lenakel Airfield. A passenger was killed while seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Pilot error.

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 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.