No fatalities

Aircraft Crash in Ravine After Engine Overspeed During Initial Climb (PK-NUQ)

Labuan Bajo, IndonesiaTakeoff (climb)

On April 3, 1990, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration PK-NUQ) operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA was involved in an aviation accident near Labuan Bajo, Indonesia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during initial climb after the left engine oversped for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 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 crashed into a ravine after the left engine oversped during initial climb from Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport. All 17 occupants were injured.

Incident Overview and Immediate Aftermath An aircraft departed from Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport and entered its initial climb phase. During this stage of flight, the left engine experienced an overspeed condition. In response to the mechanical anomaly, the flight crew decided to execute an emergency landing. The aircraft subsequently struck rocks and crashed into a ravine. All 17 people on board sustained injuries in the accident. No fatalities were reported in the source material. The specific aircraft type, registration, operator, and exact date of the incident are not provided in the official investigation source.

Probable cause

Loss of control during initial climb after the left engine oversped for unknown reasons.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Apr 1990 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident near Labuan Bajo, Indonesia?

An aircraft crashed into a ravine after the left engine oversped during initial climb from Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport. All 17 occupants were injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Apr 1990 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Apr 1990 involved a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration PK-NUQ, operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA, at Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control during initial climb after the left engine oversped for unknown reasons.