Introduction
An aircraft on final approach to Nuku Hiva Airport experienced a failure of its left engine at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet. The crew opted to reposition for an approach to runway 24. During the final approach, the captain performed a ditching of the aircraft a few dozen meters offshore.
Sequence of Events
The impact was described as relatively violent. As a result, ten occupants, including the captain, were killed. All twelve other occupants sustained injuries, some serious.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident stemmed from a series of inappropriate actions by the crew when facing a mechanical engine failure that, on its own, should not have led to such an outcome. Contributing factors identified by the inquiry include the possible influence of alcohol levels among crew members, a lack of rigor in the type rating qualification for the crew, omissions in the Operations Manual regarding task division in occasional or emergency situations, and deficiencies in the company's technical oversight of the aircraft's condition.