Lenakel - Port Vila

On October 23, 1972 at 12:00 AM, Lenakel - Port Vila experienced a crash involving Britten-Norman Islander, operated by Air Melanesiæ, with the event recorded near Lenakel (Tanna Island) All Vanuatu.

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, 1 fatalities were recorded, 7 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 12.5%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. After takeoff from Lenakel Airport, en route to Port Vila, the pilot wanted to show cattle to a passenger and decided to reduce his altitude when the twin engine airplane struck trees. Out of control, it crashed inverted in an open field located about 20 km from Lenakel Airfield. A passenger was killed while seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration F-OCRH, MSN 221, year of manufacture 1970.