ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 5W-FAU Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Tuesday 7 January 1997
Time:10:38
Type:Silhouette image of generic DHC6 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
Operator:Polynesian Airlines
Registration: 5W-FAU
MSN: 678
First flight: 1980
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27
Crew:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3
Total:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 5
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:4 km (2.5 mls) SW of Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI) (   Samoa)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Pago Pago International Airport (PPG/NSTU), American Samoa
Destination airport:Apia-Fagali'i Airport (FGI/NSFI), Samoa
Flightnumber: 211
Narrative:
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.

Probable Cause:

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.

Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain

Sources:
» FAA
» Reuters
» Samoa Observer
» TAIC NZ


Follow-up / safety actions

TAIC issued 7 Safety Recommendations

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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Pago Pago International Airport to Apia-Fagali'i Airport as the crow flies is 123 km (77 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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