4 Sep 2007

Cause of French Polynesian air crash still unknown

3:10 pm on 4 September 2007

French investigators says the voice recorder of a crashed plane has so far not helped in determining the cause of the accident off the French Polynesian island of Moorea.

They say the quality of the recording was good but it didn't indicate why the Air Moorea Twin Otter plunged into the sea last month shortly after take-off from Moorea.

They say while the pilot said few words there were some noises and an alarm.

20 people died in the crash but so far only 14 bodies have been recovered.

The wreck was found 700 metres under water after a special vessel equipped with a submarine was brought in from New Caledonia.