An Air Vanuatu ATR-72 collided with two other aircraft during a runway excursion on July 28, 2018. The aircraft had to make an emergency landing following an engine fire. No crew or passengers were injured.
The aircraft was performing flight NF-241 from Tanna-White Grass Airport (TAH) to Port Vila-Bauerfield Airport (VLI). It was transporting 39 passengers and four crew members.
20 minutes before estimated landing time, the right PW127F engine caught fire and smoke entered the cabin, as reported by passengers talking to the Daily Post. The turboprop aircraft continued to the planned destination to make an emergency landing. Upon landing, the plane rolled left of the runway where it hit two parked BN-2 Islanders, one operated by Unity Airlines, the other one by Air Taxi. The first was damaged beyond repair while the latter saw vertical stabilizer severed from the rest of the aircraft.
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No injuries were reported. An investigation was opened to identify the reason of the engine fire and of the runway excursion.
“We are very grateful to our fantastic crew of two pilots and two flight attendants whose actions ensured no injuries to passengers. Whilst the experience was no doubt distressing for our passengers, we were pleased to receive their praise for the actions of our crew,” said Air Vanuatu CEO Derek Nice in an official statement.
Air Vanuatu is Vanuatu’s national carrier. It operates a fleet of two ATR-72s, including the one involved in the incident, and one Boeing 737-800.