Savusavu – Suva
Flight / Schedule
Savusavu – Suva
Aircraft
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 DroverRegistration
VQ-FAO
MSN
5005
Year of Manufacture
1950
Operator
Fiji AirwaysDate
August 18, 1954 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Bau Island All Fiji Islands
Region
Oceania • Fiji Islands
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On August 18, 1954 at 12:00 AM, Savusavu – Suva experienced a crash involving De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover, operated by Fiji Airways, with the event recorded near Bau Island All Fiji Islands.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.
8 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. 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
Aircraft reference details include registration VQ-FAO, MSN 5005, year of manufacture 1950.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
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
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
7
Estimated Survivors
8
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Savusavu – Suva
Operator
Fiji AirwaysFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Oceania • Fiji Islands
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
While performing a training flight at a height of 2,000 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that dove and crashed into the sea, few hundred yards off shore. Both occupants were killed.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Shortly after take off from the Laucala Bay, off Suva, while on a night training sortie, the seaplane reached the height of 200 feet and then plunged into the bay, few hundred yards off shore. All four occupants were killed.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
After completing an antisubmarine patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean, the twin engine aircraft was returning to its base in Nausori. On approach, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few miles off shore. SAR operations did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the 4 crew members. Crew (4th Squadron): F/Sgt Alistair Pinching, W/O Jack Boesen, F/Sgt Cyril Corbett, F/Sgt Anthony Madsen.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
The crew was performing a flight from Funafuti (Tuvalu Islands) to Nausori with a load of bomb. The approach and landing were completed in strong cross winds and upon landing, the twin engine aircraft went of control, skidded and veered off runway to the right before coming to rest in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The explosion on final impact was largely contributed by the presence of bombs.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
The seaplane stalled and spun into water some 10 miles south of Beqa Island, while operating with No. 6 squadron. During a post maintenance test flight, the aircraft was deliberately stalled at 5,500 feet but entered an uncontrollable spin and dove into the sea near Beqa Island. Four crew and eight passengers were killed while two crew and four passengers got clear of the wreckage before it sank and survived. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/
Qantas Airways - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover
The three engine aircraft left Bulolo at 0835LT bound for Lae. 31 minutes later, while approaching Lae Airport, the pilot informed ground about his position over the mouth of Markham River. While flying in a visibility of two miles due to rain falls, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in to the Huon Gulf, about four miles south of Lae Airport. Some debris were found around noon and all seven occupants were killed, among them the pilot Captain J. W. Spiers. Source: http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/drover/drover.htm