What happened
A scheduled flight departing from Pointe-à-Pitre toward the Island of Marie-Galante ended in a fatal accident when the twin engine airplane struck the ocean surface. During the approach to the destination, the aircraft encountered severe weather characterized by heavy rain, turbulence, and stormy conditions. The cloud ceiling had dropped to approximately 200 feet above the sea level.
As the pilot attempted a minor left-hand turn, the tip of the left wing made contact with the water. This impact caused the aircraft to crash into the sea and subsequently sink to a depth of 13 meters, located a few hundred meters from the shore. Of the 20 people on board, including the pilot and 19 passengers, 15 fatalities were recorded, while five passengers were successfully rescued. The wreckage was later retrieved from the seabed.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that the aircraft lacked both an autopilot system and a flight data recorder. While examining the wreckage, investigators found no evidence of mechanical or engine failure prior to the impact. Instead, they determined that the pilot's decision to descend into clouds to attempt to regain visual contact with the sea or land was the primary factor in the accident.
Further scrutiny highlighted regulatory and operational discrepancies. Although the airline had received an exemption from the French CAA to operate the aircraft with a single pilot, this permission was contingent upon the use of a functional autopilot, which this specific aircraft did not have. Additionally, records indicated prior concerns raised by the Pilot's Association regarding the airline's failure to implement safety provisions, specifically concerning flights conducted without radar coverage, weather radar, DME, or transponder equipment, alongside issues with maintenance standards.