Investigation Summary
The investigation into Flight 212 was severely hampered by the inability to recover the flight data recorder and the difficult terrain at the wreckage site. Investigators established that the crew followed a non-standard route, likely flying a direct path toward the lights of Basse-Terre instead of the prescribed maritime approach path that would have kept the aircraft over water and clear of the volcanic peaks. Mistaking these coastal lights for the city of Pointe-à-Pitre, the Captain believed they were only one minute from the runway. This led to a request for a visual approach and a subsequent descent into the mountainous interior of the island. The aircraft passed over Saint-Claude at 4,400 feet before impacting the volcano. This was the first of two fatal accidents involving Air France Flight 212 on the same route in successive years, the second occurring in December 1969.
Final Conclusions
The BEA determined the probable cause was the initiation of a visual approach procedure at night from a point that was incorrectly identified by the crew. Due to the lack of flight recorder data and the condition of the wreckage, the commission could not determine the specific sequence of events or cockpit distractions that led to this identification error.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
First Officer
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Approach Procedures
The crew opted for a visual approach at night in mountainous terrain, which removed the safety margins provided by instrument arrival procedures.
Flight Data Recorder
The device was not recovered from the wreckage, preventing investigators from analyzing control inputs or instrument readings.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a brand new Boeing 707 named 'Château de Lavoûte-Polignac'.
- 02The accident occurred on the aircraft's second revenue service ever.
- 03The flight recorder was not recovered, limiting the depth of the investigation.
- 04The crash site was located 27.5 kilometers south-southwest of the destination airport.
- 05The crew mistook the lights of Basse-Terre for Pointe-à-Pitre.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Visual Approach Restrictions
The accident highlighted the extreme dangers of nighttime visual approaches in areas with significant terrain and misleading coastal lighting, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to instrument procedures until the airfield is positively identified.