Incident Details
During a routine flight from Savusavu to Suva, the pilot encountered a sudden loss of power in all three engines while cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet. The pilot subsequently switched the fuel tank selector in an attempt to restore power.
Unable to maintain flight, the pilot executed an emergency landing on a sandbar near Bau Island. Upon touchdown, all undercarriage components collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to a stop.
Occupant Evacuation
All eight occupants on board evacuated the cabin without injury. The aircraft was later deemed damaged beyond repair due to exposure to saltwater.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the engines lost power as a result of an air lock in a fuel tank.