On 2 January 2009 the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu requested assistance from New Zealand in the investigation of a fatal air accident that had occurred on 19 December 2008. The request was approved and on 21 January 2009 a Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigator arrived in Vanuatu. An engineering specialist joined the team 3 days later.
The investigation team was delegated full powers to investigate the accident under the authority of the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV). The team visited the accident site, examined the wreckage and interviewed the survivors and other witnesses associated with the flight on 19 December 2008.
This report summarises the investigation and is produced on behalf of the Director of CAAV. It is in accordance with the standards and practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization as described in Annex 13 Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. Any requests for further information regarding the accident or subsequent investigation should be forwarded to the Director of CAAV.
