Aircraft Crash in Wainivatumbuso Gorge (VQ-FAQ)

Incident Overview and Timeline Captain Brian McCook departed Suva-Nausori Airport at 0756 local time, with Nadi as the intended destination. During the flight, the aircraft was operating at a low altitude when it struck trees and subsequently crashed in a gorge known as Wainivatumbuso, located near Nasauvere. ## Survival and Rescue Following the impact, the pilot sustained severe bleeding from lacerations to his face and legs. He managed to walk through dense undergrowth until he was discovered by a local resident who was out pig hunting. ## Aircraft Status The aircraft involved in the incident was declared a total loss and written off.