An Air Moorea flight originating on the French Polynesian resort island of Moorea en route to nearby Tahiti ended tragically on August 9, 2007, when the aircraft crashed into the sea off the Morrea coast. The newly restored Twin Otter DHC6 was carrying 20 passengers when it crashed within a minute of takeoff for the seven minute, 11 mile journey to Tahiti. The plane now rests on the sea floor 2,300 feet below the surface of the sea.
According to the Tahitipress, witnesses have reported that while the aircraft took off, the engines began to make “strange sounds” and then stopped. One witness stated that after the engines stopped, “the plane plunged, but not like a stone; it was following its trajectory. Impact wasn’t very strong. [The witness] saw the back of the aircraft float for a few minutes, and then it sank.” Other eye witnesses, including individuals fishing nearby, did not understand what had occurred due to the aircraft crashing so quickly.
At this time, rescue workers have recovered the bodies of 16 passengers and the pilot. Officials believe that this crash claimed the lives of all twenty individuals onboard. Reports indicate that the victims of this terrible tragedy included the pilot of the aircraft, two Australian tourists, two European officials, two American tourists and a group of Polynesian environmental and tourism officials. According to the Associated Press, Jacques Witkowski, the number two French official in the territory, has called this accident the worst-ever airplane accident on French Polynesia. It is the first crash for Air Moorea in its 35 years of existence.
According to the French newspaper Tahitipress, the Executive Director of Air Moorea, Freddy Chanseau, stated that the Twin Otter, manufactured in 1979, was submitted to a “complete renovation process” in November 2006. This complete renovation included two new engines which reportedly had only accumulated 850 flight hours.
Rescue workers and French Navy officials continue to search for the remaining victims of this accident with the assistance of local fishing boats. At this time the cause of the crash remains unknown, however investigators will begin to uncover the details of this accident as time progresses. The Motley Rice Aviation team has started to review this accident and the legal responsibility that Air Moorea, DeHavilland (the aircraft manufacturer) and Pratt & Whitney (the engine manufacturer) may have to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy.
If you or someone you know is interested in seeking legal recourse due to wrongful death or personal injury as a result of this accident, please contact Motley Rice aviation attorney and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mary Schiavo at (843) 216-9138 or toll free at 1-800-768-4026.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French, Portuguese and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this air crash, click here. |
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