VH-EBW

On June 10, 1951 at 12:00 AM, VH-EBW experienced a crash involving Short S.25 Sandringham, operated by Qantas Airways - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, with the event recorded near Port Vila All Vanuatu.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was taxiing at a lake, sea, ocean, river 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 other causes. While taxiing in the harbor of Port Vila, ready for takeoff, the pilot in command was apparently forced to make an evasive maneuver due to the presence of canoe's crossing his path. Doing so, the seaplane hit coral that punctured the bottom of the fuselage, causing water to penetrate into the aircraft that sank on its nose and was partially submerged. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off. Photos via http://www.aussieairliners.org/

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-EBW, MSN SH.30C, year of manufacture 1944.