What happened
During the final approach phase to runway 21 at Nadi Airport, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure while flying at approximately 500 feet. The flight crew was attempting to land when the flap mechanism malfunctioned, resulting in an uneven deployment between the wings. Specifically, the left flap reached a position of 60°, whereas the right flap became stuck at a 35° angle.
This asymmetry induced a significant roll to the left side of the aircraft. Unable to maintain stable flight, the plane descended into the ground before reaching the runway threshold. The accident resulted in 11 fatalities, including both the pilot and nine passengers, while three additional individuals sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified a mechanical issue involving the flap hardware. It was determined that an improperly secured, non-standard attachment pin moved upward during flight. This pin eventually became lodged within a lightening hole, which prevented the right flap from extending correctly and led to the asymmetric flap deployment.