No fatalities

Aircraft Overrun at Longaga Airstrip (VP-PAG)

Longana, VanuatuLanding (descent or approach)

On November 30, 1968, a De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover (registration VP-PAG) operated by Air Melanesiæ was involved in an aviation accident near Longana, Vanuatu during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the brake systems for undermined reason. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft overran the 700-meter runway at Longaga Airstrip after brake failure, resulting in minor injuries to all nine occupants and the abandonment of the damaged plane.

Incident Overview and Outcome During a landing at Longaga Airstrip, the pilot experienced significant difficulty in stopping the aircraft within the available runway length. The runway at the facility is 700 meters long. As the aircraft failed to stop in time, it overran the runway and subsequently lost its undercarriage before coming to a complete stop. All nine people on board sustained minor injuries. The aircraft sustained damage that was assessed as beyond repair, leading to its abandonment at the site. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a failure of the brake systems. The specific reason for this brake failure was not identified in the official findings.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Nov 1968 De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover accident near Longana, Vanuatu?

An aircraft overran the 700-meter runway at Longaga Airstrip after brake failure, resulting in minor injuries to all nine occupants and the abandonment of the damaged plane.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Nov 1968 De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Nov 1968 involved a De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover, registration VP-PAG, operated by Air Melanesiæ, at Longana, Vanuatu.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the brake systems for undermined reason.