Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft operating an on-demand charter flight for the French Government crashed into the La Selle Mountain Range in Haiti, killing all 20 occupants. The flight was repatriating illegal Haitian immigrants from French Guiana to Port-au-Prince.
Flight Details
The aircraft departed Cayenne, French Guiana, with an intermediate stop in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, before continuing to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On board were two pilots, two French policemen, and 18 Haitian citizens. The flight was uneventful from Pointe-à-Pitre until the approach phase.
Final Approach and Crash
The crew was cleared to descend to 4,000 feet for an approach to Port-au-Prince Airport's runway 28. Operating in limited visibility due to night conditions, the crew failed to recognize that they were not following the correct heading for the airport. The aircraft subsequently struck the slope of a mountain in the La Selle Mountain Range, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Port-au-Prince Airport. The wreckage was located at an altitude of 1,533 meters.
Investigation Outcome
Official investigation determined the probable cause as controlled flight into terrain.