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Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B in Nausori

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAX
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14012
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered a landing accident at Nausori Airport. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 1B near Somosomo: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAL
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Suva – Somosomo
MSN:
14033
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
While approaching Somosomo Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and a limited visibility when the four engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Tavani located 18 km from the airport. Three passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Apparently due to the lack of visibility, the crew started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to be too low and to struck the mountain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 in Viti Levu

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Suva – Nadi
MSN:
5008
YOM:
1951
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, Captain Brian McCook, left Suva-Nausori Airport at 0756LT Bound for Nadi. Enroute, while cruising at low altitude, the airplane hit trees and crashed in a gorge called Wainivatumbuso, near Nasauvere. Bleeding heavily from gashes to his face and legs, he walked through dense undergrowth until found by a native out pig hunting. The aircraft was written off.

Crash of a De Havilland DHA-3 Drover 2 on Bau Island

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Savusavu – Suva
MSN:
5005
YOM:
1950
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet on a flight from Savusavu to Suva, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector when all three engines lost power. He attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar on Bau Island but all undercarriage collapsed on landing and the aircraft came to rest. All eight occupants evacuated the cabin safely while the aircraft was later damaged beyond repair by salty water.
Source & photos via http://www.goodall.com.au
Probable cause:
All engines lost power due to an air lock in a fuel tank.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Labasa

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
VQ-FAL
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Labasa – Nadi
MSN:
6707
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Labasa Airport, the left engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff.