Accident Details
On the day of the accident, a four-engine airplane departed Hao Island Airport from runway 12 at 0500 local time for a scheduled weather reports mission lasting seven hours and 40 minutes. During the initial climb, both right engines (numbers 3 and 4) lost power simultaneously. The pilot-in-command managed to complete a low pass over the airport, but the aircraft subsequently went out of control and crashed into the sea a few hundred meters offshore. The aircraft was destroyed.
Occupants
All six individuals on board were killed. The crew consisted of Commander Dugué (pilot), Lieutenant Frugier (copilot), Captain Parage (navigator), and Adjutant Hecq (refueling operator). The passengers were Adjutant Langlais and First Master Saucillon, both weather specialists.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, investigators believe that the loss of power on both right engines was the consequence of a bleed valve failure. Additionally, the investigation revealed several engine problems on other aircraft operated in the area, which were considered likely due to excessive exposure to a salty environment.