Espíritu Santo – Port Vila

On May 8, 1999 at 07:21 PM, Espíritu Santo – Port Vila experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, 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 landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

12 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 58.3%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to Port Vila Airport was conducted by night and heavy rain falls. On final, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in the sea about 11 km from the airport, 8 km offshore. Five people were rescued while seven others including the pilot were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration YJ-RV9, MSN 694, year of manufacture 1980.