Papeete – Raiatea – Bora Bora

On February 19, 1958 at 12:00 PM, Papeete – Raiatea – Bora Bora experienced a crash involving Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, operated by Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire - RAI, with the event recorded near Raiatea Island Windward Islands.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

26 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 11 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 57.7%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 23, passenger fatalities: 12, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to Raiatea lagoon was performed in good weather conditions with a grey ceiling (altostratus) and several fractocumulus at 400 meters, good visibility. No wind and no waves on the sea gaves a very calm lagoon. While completing a last turn to the right to align to the landing area (seaplane base), the right wing tip struck the water surface. The airplane cartwheeled and crashed into the sea about 1,400 meters short of landing point. Eleven passengers were injured while 15 other occupants, among them all three crew members, were killed. The airplane sank by a depth of 36 meters ten minutes later.

Aircraft reference details include registration F-AOVV, MSN 296, year of manufacture 1941.