ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 324289
| Date: | Tuesday 7 January 1997 |
| Time: | 10:38 |
| Type: |  de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 |
| Owner/operator: | Polynesian Airlines |
| Registration: | 5W-FAU |
| MSN: | 678 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1980 |
| Engine model: | Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 4 km SW of Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI) -
 Samoa
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Pago Pago International Airport (PPG/NSTU) |
| Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI/NSFI) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 passenger plane sustained substantial damage in an accident on Mount Vaea, Samoa. Two of the three passengers and one of the two pilots were killed.
Polynesian Airlines flight 211 had departed Pago Pago (PPG), American Samoa on a scheduled service to Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI), Samoa. Due to bad weather at its destination, the aircraft diverted to Faleolo Airport. An instrument approach was flown, but the flight was not able to land. The captain decided to continue in a westerly direction towards Fagali'i Airport. He flew by visual reference in conditions of low cloud and heavy rain.
The airplane flew into the western slope of Mount Vaea, coming to rest on the slope with both wings separated.
The following causal factors were identified:
* The decision by the captain to continue the flight toward Fagali'i in reduced visibility and subsequently in cloud.
* Mis-identification of ground features, or an inappropriate heading and altitude flown, as a result of inadequate visual reference.
* Insufficient forward visibility to ensure effective and timely action to avoid a collision with terrain.
Sources:
FAA
Reuters
Samoa Observer
TAIC NZ
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 22 March 1991 | 5W-FAU | Polynesian Airlines | Nuuuli |  |
non |
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
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