pakman
Contributor
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22221337-663,00.html
AN Air Moorea aircraft crashed today on take-off from the French Polynesian island of Moorea bound for Tahiti, with all 20 people aboard feared dead.
Nineteen passengers and a pilot were aboard the Twin Otter turboprop aircraft which overshot the runway and crashed into a lagoon during take-off about 12.15pm local time (8.15am AEST).
Police said 14 bodies had been recovered including that of the pilot but no survivors had been found.
A spokeswoman for Air Moorea said all 20 people aboard the aircraft were feared killed.
Radio reports said two members of a European Commission (EC) delegation may have been on the plane.
It is understood they recently met French Polynesian President Gaston Tong Sang and were about to return to Europe.
Sandra Rimud from Air Traffic Services in Tahiti said 20 passengers were on board including the pilot.
"We don't know (why it crashed). We had good weather. The pilot maybe didn't see so good," she said.
Ms Rimud confirmed two members of the European Commission were booked to be on the plane.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.
"The investigation is under way there now and police are still combing the area," a police spokesman said.
The island of Moorea is 17km from the South Pacific island of Tahiti. It is one of French Polynesia's premier tourist destination, particularly popular this time of year with Australian, New Zealand and American holidaymakers.
French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie issued a statement expressing her condolences and saying that Christian Estrosi, secretary of state for France's overseas territories, would go to the region to show the Government's solidarity.
AN Air Moorea aircraft crashed today on take-off from the French Polynesian island of Moorea bound for Tahiti, with all 20 people aboard feared dead.
Nineteen passengers and a pilot were aboard the Twin Otter turboprop aircraft which overshot the runway and crashed into a lagoon during take-off about 12.15pm local time (8.15am AEST).
Police said 14 bodies had been recovered including that of the pilot but no survivors had been found.
A spokeswoman for Air Moorea said all 20 people aboard the aircraft were feared killed.
Radio reports said two members of a European Commission (EC) delegation may have been on the plane.
It is understood they recently met French Polynesian President Gaston Tong Sang and were about to return to Europe.
Sandra Rimud from Air Traffic Services in Tahiti said 20 passengers were on board including the pilot.
"We don't know (why it crashed). We had good weather. The pilot maybe didn't see so good," she said.
Ms Rimud confirmed two members of the European Commission were booked to be on the plane.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.
"The investigation is under way there now and police are still combing the area," a police spokesman said.
The island of Moorea is 17km from the South Pacific island of Tahiti. It is one of French Polynesia's premier tourist destination, particularly popular this time of year with Australian, New Zealand and American holidaymakers.
French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie issued a statement expressing her condolences and saying that Christian Estrosi, secretary of state for France's overseas territories, would go to the region to show the Government's solidarity.
