Investigation Summary
The flight was a short domestic hop between Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva. As the Dornier 228 approached runway 06, the number 1 Garrett TPE331 engine suffered an uncontained failure. The BEA investigation found that the crew failed to recognize the severity of the mechanical failure, instead becoming preoccupied with a low oil pressure warning for that engine. Rather than continuing the approach to runway 06, the crew abandoned it and attempted to fly parallel to the runway to land on runway 24. During this maneuver, the aircraft was observed at an altitude of only 700 feet. The crew eventually lost control of the altitude, and both propellers were reported to have failed or were not producing thrust by the final moments. The aircraft performed erratic turns before the crew attempted an emergency ditching in the water. The investigation revealed that the airline had rushed the Dornier 228 into service, leading to inadequate crew training and a lack of technical oversight by both the airline and the French civil aviation authority (DGAC).
Final Conclusions
The BEA concluded that the accident resulted from a series of inappropriate actions by the crew in response to a mechanical engine failure that should not have been fatal; contributing factors included the possible influence of alcohol on the crew, a lack of rigor in type rating qualifications, omissions in the Operations Manual regarding the division of tasks during emergencies, and deficiencies in Air Tahiti's technical control of the aircraft. The DGAC was also criticized for failing to supervise the airline's rushed entry of the Dornier 228 into service.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Joined Air Tahiti in 1979; age 38.
First Officer
Joined Air Tahiti in 1987; age 42.
Systems & Failure Modes
Garrett TPE331 Engines
The aircraft was powered by two turboprop engines; the number 1 engine suffered an uncontained failure during the approach.
Propeller System
During the final moments of flight, both propellers were reported to have failed or were not operating correctly, leading to a total loss of altitude.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft had only 634 total flight hours at the time of the accident.
- 02Ten of the 22 occupants sustained fatal injuries during the ditching and subsequent impact.
- 03The captain had 8,115 total flight hours but only 112 hours on the Dornier 228 type.
- 04The first officer had 4,766 total flight hours with only 95 hours on the Dornier 228.
- 05The investigation noted that the pilot qualification program for the aircraft type had been rushed.
- 06The aircraft was delivered to Air Tahiti on 8 October 1990, just six months before the accident.
- 07Some secondary sources incorrectly list the registration as F-OHAN, but the official BEA report confirms it was F-OHAB.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Training Oversight
The investigation recommended stricter supervision of pilot qualification programs and type ratings, particularly when new aircraft types are introduced to an airline's fleet.
Operations Manual Revision
Recommendations were made to update Operations Manuals to include clear divisions of tasks (CRM) during emergency and occasional flight situations.