Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 22 October 1978
Aircraft Type: IRMA/Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander
Owner/operator: Solomon Islands Airlines
Registration Number: H4-AAC
Location: off Bellona Island –
ÿ Solomon Islands
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: Navaid (navigation device) batteryNavaid (navigation device) battery
Category: Accident
A Solomon Islands Airlines plane attempted a return to Bellona after encountering adverse weather conditions. The pilot became disoriented and lost contact with the location, resulting in a ditch into the sea. The plane was never found, and the pilot claimed local population stole a battery from the navaid, hindering a safe return to Honiara.A Solomon Islands Airlines plane attempted a return to Bellona after encountering adverse weather conditions. The pilot became disoriented and lost contact with the location, resulting in a ditch into the sea. The plane was never found, and the pilot claimed local population stole a battery from the navaid, hindering a safe return to Honiara.
Description
While attempting to return to Bellona after encountering weather, the pilot became disoriented and was unable to locate Bellona. The plane ditched into the sea after running out of fuel while the pilot was in radio contact. The airplane was never found. The chief pilot Solomon Islands Airlines at the time claimed that the local population had stolen the battery from the navaid at Bellona which interfered with a safe return to Honiara.
Primary Cause
Pilot disorientation and loss of communication due to adverse weather.Pilot disorientation and loss of communication due to adverse weather.Share on:
