What happened
On the flight from Saint Maarten Airport to Saint-Barthélemy Airport, an aircraft carrying 17 passengers and two crew members was operating at a cruise altitude of 1,500 feet. The flight, identified by callsign TX1501, transitioned from the Saint Maarten Juliana aerodrome frequency while passing the island of Fourchue, which serves as the entry point for the Saint-Barthélemy circuit.
After notifying the Saint-Barthélemy Information frequency of their position at the 'Fourchue' waypoint, the crew reported passing the 'Pain de Sucre' point as they prepared for a final approach to runway 10. This communication marked the final contact from the flight.
During the short final phase of the approach, near the La Tourmente pass, observers including an AFIS agent witnessed the aircraft execute a sharp left turn characterized by a steep bank angle and a sudden descent toward the terrain. The impact occurred near a residential structure, causing a post-crash fire. The accident resulted in 19 fatalities on the aircraft and one fatality of an individual located in the nearby house.
Findings
Witness accounts indicate that the aircraft entered a steep bank and dive during its final approach to the runway.