The initial phase of the investigation into the accident to the Air Moorea Twin-Otter is reaching its end. The equipment put in place by the BEA with the assistance of the French Navy has made it possible to identify the location of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) that was on board the airplane. The equipment required for observation and lifting of the recorder and parts of the wreckage has been found. It will be put in place within about ten days under the authority of the BEA and under the control of representatives of the judicial authorities.

In parallel, the investigation has been continuing on land. The BEA team will be returning to Paris to examine the first documents and information gathered. It will later return to coordinate the lifting operations in Papeete.

These operations will likely be very delicate due to the depth and the currents, as well as the condition of the wreckage, about which we currently have no definite information. In addition, though the investigators expect a lot from it, we cannot at present say what light will be thrown onto the investigation by any usable information, whether from the CVR or from parts of the airplane.

As always in such circumstances, the BEA recommends caution and to avoid drawing any conclusions on the basis of guesswork or fragmented and non-validated information.