Fiji Air Services

Britten-Norman Islander

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.

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

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.

Britten-Norman Islander

The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Aitukaki to Rarotonga on behalf of Avaiki Air, carrying eight passengers and two pilots. On final approach by night, at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea few km offshore. The aircraft quickly sank by a depth of about 2,400 metres and the wreckage was not recovered. Three passengers and one pilot were rescued while six others occupants were killed.

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

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.

Britten-Norman Islander

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.