Savusavu – Suva

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.