On August 20, 1982, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration VP-LAE) operated by Inter Island Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Mt La Soufrière, Saint Vincent and Grenadines in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the terrain while flying through adverse weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into the slopes of the Soufriere volcano while traveling from St Vincent to St Lucia.
What happened
A flight departing from Kingstown-Arnos Vale Airport was en route to Hewanorra Airport on St Lucia Island when the accident occurred. The twin engine airplane was operating in poor weather conditions during the cruise phase of the flight. While navigating through the inclement weather, the aircraft collided with the terrain at the Soufriere volcano, situated in the central region of St Vincent Island.
Findings
The impact resulted in the deaths of all 10 occupants on board the aircraft. The investigation noted that the flight was being conducted during bad weather conditions at the time of the collision with the volcanic slope.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck the terrain while flying through adverse weather conditions.