19 fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crash on Vella Lavella Island (39086)

Vella Lavella Island, Solomon IslandsFlight

On October 7, 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 39086) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Vella Lavella Island, Solomon Islands in flight. 19 people were killed. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft struck a mountainside on Vella Lavella Island in the Solomon Islands during an en route flight, resulting in the deaths of all 19 people on board.

What happened

During an en route phase of flight, a twin engine aircraft encountered terrain while operating over the Solomon Islands. The airframe impacted the slope of a mountain located on Vella Lavella Island. The collision resulted in immediate structural failure and impact forces that were unsurvivable for everyone aboard. There were no survivors among the 19 occupants present in the aircraft at the time of the accident.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical details regarding mechanical failures, weather conditions, or pilot error. The primary factual conclusion is that the aircraft struck mountainous terrain during its flight path, leading to a fatal outcome for all individuals on board.