Suva - Bua
Flight / Schedule
Suva - Bua
Aircraft
Britten-Norman IslanderRegistration
DQ-FBO
MSN
195
Year of Manufacture
1970
Operator
Fiji Air ServicesDate
July 12, 1979 at 10:20 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Bua All Fiji Islands
Region
Oceania • Fiji Islands
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 12, 1979 at 10:20 AM, Suva - Bua experienced a crash involving Britten-Norman Islander, operated by Fiji Air Services, with the event recorded near Bua All Fiji Islands.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
9 people were known to be on board, 9 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. While approaching Bua on a short 35-minute flight from Suva-Nausori Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. At an altitude of 1,450 feet, the twin engine airplane crashed in a hilly and wooded area located about 10 km northeast of Bua. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. All nine occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration DQ-FBO, MSN 195, year of manufacture 1970.
Fatalities
Total
9
Crew
1
Passengers
8
Other
0
Crash Summary
While approaching Bua on a short 35-minute flight from Suva-Nausori Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. At an altitude of 1,450 feet, the twin engine airplane crashed in a hilly and wooded area located about 10 km northeast of Bua. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. All nine occupants were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
8
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 9
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Suva - Bua
Operator
Fiji Air ServicesFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
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/
Fiji Airways
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Shortly after takeoff from Labasa Airport, the left engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.