Lenakel - Port Vila
Flight / Schedule
Lenakel - Port Vila
Aircraft
Britten-Norman IslanderRegistration
F-OCRH
MSN
221
Year of Manufacture
1970
Operator
Air MelanesiæDate
October 23, 1972 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Lenakel (Tanna Island) All Vanuatu
Region
Oceania • Vanuatu
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
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.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
0
Passengers
1
Other
0
Crash Summary
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.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
7
Estimated Survivors
7
Fatality Rate
12.5%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Lenakel - Port Vila
Operator
Air MelanesiæFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Oceania • Vanuatu
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Shortly after take off from Luganville-Norsup Airport, the twin engine aircraft entered a steep rate of climb, stalled and crashed into the sea. All seven crew members were killed. Crew (3rd Squadron): F/O William Lauchlan, Sgt Stephen Bishop, F/O Lister Mulholland, Sgt Maxwell Walker, Sgt John Cornish, LAC James Ferguson, AC1 Noel Fowler.
United States Army Air Forces - USAAF
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea 24 km off Luganville, killing all four crew members. Crew: 1st Lt Robert H. Healy, 2nd Lt Augustus W. Miller, Cpl Joseph E. O'Connell, M/Sgt Harry D. Wlodarsky.
United States Army Air Forces - USAAF
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
The aircraft bell landed for unknown reason. No casualties.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found. Crew: Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood, Pilot Officer Francis Baird, Flight Sergeant Robert Carter, Sergeant Thomas Murray, Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty, Corporal Edward Ayrey, Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.
United States Navy - USN
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Crashed on takeoff with depth charges and exploded.
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
The crew was engaged in a bombing exercise over the Palikulo Bay, off Luganville. The twin engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in the morning, and while performing a turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that overturned and dove into the sea few yards off shore. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (9th Squadron): F/L Gordon McLachlan, F/L Bernard O'Fagan, F/O Maxwell Harwood, F/O Lionel Wood, P/O Augustine Thurston, Lt R. Fresb, A. Stinson, air gunner.