Aircraft crash near Lenakel Airport

1 fatality • Lenakel (Tanna Island), Vanuatu • Flight

A twin-engine airplane crashed in an open field approximately 20 km from Lenakel Airport during a flight to Port Vila, resulting in one fatality.

What happened

During a flight departing from Lenakel Airport bound for Port Vila, a twin engine airplane experienced a fatal accident. While the aircraft was in its initial climb phase following takeoff, the pilot attempted to lower the altitude to allow a passenger to view cattle on the ground. During this maneuver, the aircraft made contact with trees.

Following the impact with the vegetation, the plane became uncontrollable and flipped upside down. The wreckage eventually came to rest in an open field situated roughly 20 km away from Lenakel Airfield. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Among the occupants, there was one fatality and seven injuries.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by pilot error during a deliberate descent following takeoff.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-10-23 Britten-Norman Islander accident near Lenakel (Tanna Island), Vanuatu?

A twin-engine airplane crashed in an open field approximately 20 km from Lenakel Airport during a flight to Port Vila, resulting in one fatality.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-10-23 Britten-Norman Islander accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-10-23 involved a Britten-Norman Islander, registration F-OCRH, operated by Air Melanesiæ, at Lenakel (Tanna Island), Vanuatu.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by pilot error during a deliberate descent following takeoff.

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