Executive summary
[Occurrence invesigated by TAIC for the Government of Samoa. The Secretary for Transport of Samoa approved this report for general release by TAIC.]
At about 1038 hours on Tuesday 7 January 1997, Polynesian Airlines’ DHC-6 (Twin Otter) 5W FAU collided with the western slopes of Mt Vaea, Apia, in conditions of low cloud and heavy rain. The aeroplane was on a scheduled flight from Pago Pago to Fagali’i, and was being flown to Fagali’i by visual reference after having made an instrument approach to Faleolo. The captain and two passengers lost their lives in the accident. The first officer and one passenger survived.
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.
General safety issues discussed in the report include:
The establishment of company guidance to ensure that VFR flights at all times maintain a flight path well clear of high ground and significant obstacles when operating between Faleolo and Fagali’i, continued effort to develop and maintain an appropriate level of flight deck interaction and communication, and company use of Flight Safety Foundation publications to assist in avoiding controlled flight into terrain accidents and incidents. Safety recommendations concerning these issues were made to the Chief Executive Officer of the airline.