Air Taxi experienced its second plane crash of the year yesterday, as a flight from TAFEA Province to Port Vila crash-landed at Montmartre Plantation. Five people, including the pilot, were on board. Tragically, one of the survivors, who was badly injured, succumbed to his injuries this morning.
An eyewitness and first responder, who spoke to the Vanuatu Daily Post, described the chaotic scene. “I was at home when the students yelled about the plane crash, and we could smell the aftermath. This was around 3:30 pm,” he said. The plane initially attempted to land on a crowded football field but redirected to the plantation.
“Two of them had serious injuries. I assisted the one who was badly injured, while the other, whose head was bleeding, was crying. He wanted me to lift him up, and I did so, positioning him as he wanted. The other passengers and the pilot were already out of the plane and only two were still stuck at that time,” the eyewitness recounted.
He noted that the rescue efforts were challenging, as it took an hour for ProMedical to arrive. “They had to cut everything below him to get him out and place him on the stretcher.”
The aircraft struck two coconut trees and sustained severe damage. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, but sources indicate the pilot reported technical issues and strong winds.
Deputy Prime Minister Matai Seremaiah was present at the scene. Notably, the pilot involved in this crash had another incident just three days earlier with an Air Taxi vehicle.
This follows a previous Air Taxi crash in Sola, Vanualava Island, involving Finance Minister John Salong.
