F-AOVV

Safety history

• February 19, 1958Accident

  The approach to Raiatea lagoon was performed in good weather conditions with a grey ceiling (altostratus) and several fractocumulus at 400 meters, good visibility. No wind and no waves on the sea gaves a very calm lagoon. While completing a last turn to the right to align to the landing area (seaplane base), the right wing tip struck the water surface.

  Consolidated PBY Catalina · 15 fatalities

  The combination of an uniformly gray sky (altostratus clouds across the region and some fractocumulus at 400 meters), the absence of wind and the absence of lines on a gray and smooth lagoon created favorable conditions for an illusion and made it difficult to assess the exact height above the water level during the most difficult operation of the flight,… Full accident record