Luganville – Longana

On November 30, 1968 at 12:00 AM, Luganville – Longana experienced a crash involving De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover, operated by Air Melanesiæ, with the event recorded near Longana All Vanuatu.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

9 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 9 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: 8, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. After touchdown at Longaga Airstrip (runway is 700 meters long), the pilot encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance. The aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All nine occupants were slightly injured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair and abandoned.

Aircraft reference details include registration VP-PAG, MSN 5004, year of manufacture 1950.