Lenakel - Port-Vila

While approaching Port Vila following an uneventful flight from Lenakel, all three engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck coconut trees and crashed in a pasture. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were rescued.

Flight / Schedule

Lenakel - Port-Vila

Registration

YJ-RV3

MSN

349

Year of Manufacture

1973

Operator

Vanair

Date

January 3, 1990 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Port Vila All Vanuatu

Region

Oceania • Vanuatu

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On January 3, 1990 at 12:00 AM, Lenakel - Port-Vila experienced a crash involving Britten-Norman Trislander, operated by Vanair, with the event recorded near Port Vila All Vanuatu.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

0 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated.

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

The listed crash cause is technical failure. While approaching Port Vila following an uneventful flight from Lenakel, all three engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck coconut trees and crashed in a pasture. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were rescued.

Aircraft reference details include registration YJ-RV3, MSN 349, year of manufacture 1973.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

While approaching Port Vila following an uneventful flight from Lenakel, all three engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck coconut trees and crashed in a pasture. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all occupants were rescued.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

0

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

Known people on board: 0

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Lenakel - Port-Vila

Operator

Vanair

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Oceania • Vanuatu

Aircraft Details

Registration

YJ-RV3

MSN

349

Year of Manufacture

1973

Similar Plane Crashes

October 16, 1942 at 03:25 AM7 Fatalities

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.

September 5, 1943 at 12:00 AM4 Fatalities

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.

January 12, 1944 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft bell landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

January 17, 1944 at 02:45 PM7 Fatalities

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.

January 22, 1944 at 12:00 AM6 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Crashed on takeoff with depth charges and exploded.

April 6, 1944 at 12:27 PM7 Fatalities

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.