Incident Overview
An aircraft flying from Lenakel to Port Vila experienced a sudden loss of power in all three engines during the approach phase due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot executed an emergency landing, but the aircraft struck coconut trees and subsequently crashed in a pasture. The impact caused substantial damage, rendering the aircraft beyond repair. All occupants aboard were rescued without further incident.
Sequence of Events
The flight from Lenakel was reported as uneventful until the approach to Port Vila, when all three engines failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft collided with coconut trees before coming to rest in a pasture. Rescue efforts successfully extracted all occupants.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion. Investigators noted that the fuel selector was believed to have been positioned on the main fuel tanks, which were empty at the time of the accident, while fuel remained in the auxiliary tanks.