Flight Details
On Friday 19 December 2008, Britten-Norman Islander YJ-RV2, operated by Air Vanuatu (Domestic) Limited, was scheduled for a routine commercial passenger service from Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila. The planned route included five legs: north via Norsup to Pekoa International Airport (Santo Airport) on Espiritu Santo, then onward to Gaua and Mota Lava before returning to Santo. The pilot arrived at the operator's base at about 0700 and began pre-flight duties. The flight departed Bauerfield at 0730 and proceeded normally to Santo.
Additional Flight to Lajmoli
Early Friday morning, the operator's agent at Santo requested approval from the company's operations office in Port Vila to add a round-trip flight from Santo to Lajmoli. The regular Thursday flight had been cancelled, leaving nine passengers stranded at Lajmoli. Operations staff approved the request, and the agent planned to confirm with the pilot upon his arrival. At Santo, the pilot agreed to the additional flight. No disruption to the original schedule was expected, as the return was anticipated well before the planned 1230 departure north. The aircraft was refueled with 246 litres of fuel and departed Santo for Lajmoli at 1016 with the pilot and four passengers.
Takeoff and Flight
At Lajmoli, the local agent weighed the passengers and baggage for the return flight. YJ-RV2 landed at 1043, and after unloading, the agent informed the pilot that the planned load of nine passengers and baggage would likely push the aircraft to maximum allowable weight. The pilot reportedly agreed and instructed loading. The agent completed a load sheet but omitted fuel weight, not knowing the amount. The pilot signed the sheet. Engines were started at 1055, and the aircraft taxied for grass runway 14. Takeoff occurred at 1058. At 1100, the pilot called Santo air traffic services via HF radio, reporting airborne and climbing to 7000 feet, with an estimated arrival time of 130.
Witnesses on the ground and passengers later noted that the takeoff and climb were slower than normal. The pilot followed the coastline south, then turned left inland near Wunavae. Passengers observed that the aircraft flew a direct line toward rising hilly ground, crossing several ridges at lower-than-usual height. The pilot increased engine power while flying east. Passengers reported no significant turbulence and some light cloud but could see the terrain. They grew concerned as the aircraft approached a ridgeline at a right angle. Some described the pilot closing the throttles and shutting down the engines, accompanied by a loud buzzing sound identified as the stall warning. The aircraft then struck trees and bush, coming to a halt quickly. The pilot was observed making movements consistent with being awake but did not communicate.
Accident and Rescue
Within minutes, passengers began evacuating. Fuel was smelled and seen dripping from the wing. The pilot and front-seat passenger were trapped in the deformed front section and could not be roused. A second passenger with a severe head wound and suspected broken leg remained semi-conscious near the right side. The remaining seven passengers, fearing fire, assembled at the rear and walked downhill toward the coast. The eighth passenger, injured, attempted to follow but could not keep up. At about 1115, Santo air traffic services called YJ-RV2 to coordinate arrival but received no response. Other aircraft were asked to call, with no result. At 1130, the controller declared the aircraft overdue and alerted authorities and the operator. Crews of an ATR 42 and a DH6 Twin Otter, along with a private aircraft, began searching. At about 1245, the ATR 42 crew located the wreckage at about 4000 feet in the mountainous area west of Big Bay but could not confirm survivors. A light helicopter from Port Vila departed at 1500 but was prevented by inclement weather from reaching the site that evening. Additional support from New Caledonia arrived Saturday morning with a French military Super Puma helicopter and medical team.
At about 0700 on Saturday 20 December, rescue personnel reached YJ-RV2 and confirmed the pilot dead and the front-seat passenger critically injured. The remaining eight passengers were not present. The critically injured passenger was evacuated to Luganville Hospital and later to Australia, dying on 1 January 2009. During Saturday morning, villagers from Wunavae began searching. Mid-afternoon, the Super Puma crew located the group of seven passengers about 3 to 4 km west of the accident site and airlifted them to Santo. The last passenger was found by villagers the following day and airlifted to hospital after a third night in the bush.