What happened
On 19 December 2008, a Britten-Norman BN2A-20 Islander, registration YJ-RV2, was operating a scheduled passenger service in Vanuatu. After an unscheduled stop at Lajmoli to collect additional passengers and baggage, the aircraft departed for a return flight to Santo. During the flight, the aircraft flew at a low altitude while traversing hilly terrain. As the aircraft approached a ridgeline, the pilot reduced engine power, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and vegetation on a steep slope, resulting in the destruction of the plane.
The impact caused two fatalities—the pilot and one front-seat passenger—and left several others with injuries, including two serious and six minor injuries. Following the crash, several survivors chose to leave the wreckage to seek help on foot, though they were eventually located by search teams.
The investigation
An investigation conducted on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu examined the aircraft's weight, the pilot's flight path, and the post-crash survival actions. Investigators analyzed the load sheet, which revealed that the fuel weight had been omitted from the total weight calculation. The investigation also reviewed the condition of the aircraft's safety equipment and the circumstances of the flight's departure from Lajmoli.
Findings
- The aircraft was overloaded by at least 7%, which significantly degraded its climb performance.
- The pilot lacked sufficient altitude margin to safely clear the ridge, especially when facing potential downdrafts.
- The pilot's approach to the terrain did not provide an adequate escape route if the crossing had to be aborted.
- The aircraft's seat belts were in poor condition; specifically, one diagonal strap was unusable due to a missing fitting, and another belt was too short for a passenger.
- The pilot failed to provide a standard safety briefing to the passengers before takeoff.
- The decision by survivors to abandon the wreckage increased their risk, as staying near the aircraft would have likely led to a faster rescue.
Safety action
- The investigation raised concerns regarding the verification of aircraft weight and balance by pilots.
- Issues were identified regarding the maintenance of compliant seat belts and safety briefing cards.
- There is a need to evaluate pilot training, specifically regarding mountain-flying techniques in Vanuatu.
- The report suggests considering standardized flight routes to assist in the rapid location of missing aircraft.