Crash of a Cessna 402A in Le Pin-la-Garenne: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1970 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BPJA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saint-Nazaire - Paris
MSN:
402-0100
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was returning to Paris-Le Bourget on a taxi flight, carrying nine industrialists based in Paris. Just passing over Alençon, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy snow falls and icing conditions. He informed ATC about technical problems, stated he was unable to maintain control and requested assistance to divert to the nearest airport. Less than a minute later, the airplane struck a tree and crashed in a field located just outside Le Pin-la-Garenne. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on wings and fuselage. Probable engine problems due to carburetor icing. Very bad weather conditions.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Tajo de Cabaneja: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1969
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Paris – Rabat
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport in the evening on a flight to Rabat. While cruising by night, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The wreckage was found few hours later and all seven occupants were killed, among them one civilian.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Paris-Le Bourget

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
454
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris-Le Bourget - Paris-Le Bourget
MSN:
4136
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames 200 meters short of runway. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Paris: 21 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1962 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HA-MOD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Budapest – Frankfurt – Paris
MSN:
180 0020 02
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
MA355
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Captain / Total flying hours:
10380
Captain / Total hours on type:
1313.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4135
Copilot / Total hours on type:
733
Aircraft flight hours:
2363
Circumstances:
Malev Airlines Flight 355 was a scheduled international transportation service from Budapest to Frankfurt and Parts. The flight departed Budapest for Frankfurt at 0744 hours GMT. The crew reported to the Frankfurt meteorological office for briefing at 0950 hours when the pilot's attention was drawn to the frequent occurrences of log and stratus cloud, and the possibility of light icing in stratus cloud The crew remained in the meteorological office for two hours checking successive weather reports from Orly and Le Bourget Airports. There were 13 passengers and a crew aboard when the flight departed Frankfurt for Le Bourget with the pilot-in-command occupying the left-hand seat. The first radio contact with North Area Control Centre was made at 1332 hours when the flight reported it had passed over Luxembourg at 1331 hours at flight level 180 and estimated the next reporting point MY at 1335 hours. It was then Instructed to report over MY, CH and BE. From 1344:20 hours to 1355:20 hours the flight received progressive descent clearances down to 1800 feet. At 1348:50 when the aircraft reported over CH, it was instructed to proceed to BN. However, at 1354:40 when reporting approaching BN the controller stated that it was cleared to BE and not to BN. This was acknowledged by the aircraft without repeating the message. At 1356:10 hours the flight was cleared by Le Bourget Approach for final approach. At 1356:10 the controller asked the aircraft whether it was heading BE or UN. Ten seconds later the aircraft confirmed that it was heading for BN and was then requested again to proceed to BE. The aircraft was instructed to call when over BE and was advised that it was number 2 to land. Confirmation of the QNH (altimeter setting) was given to the aircraft, and it was cleared for final approach at 1359 hours. At 1401:40 Le Bourget Approach called the aircraft, and the aircraft reported on final and stated it would call "over BE". The controller gave the aircraft its position as 2 miles east of BE and asked the pilot if he was making an ILS approach. This was confirmed. At 1405:10 hours the aircraft contacted the tower and advised it would reach BE at 1800 feet and was making an ILS approach on runway 25. At 1405:30 hours the aircraft reported over BE. It should then have been in level flight with 15deg of flap, at about 500 m (1500 ft) and at a speed of 310-320 km/h. There was no further radio contact between the aircraft and the tower although the aircraft should have reported over the outer marker at approximately 300 m (900 ft). At 1421 hours the airport authorities were informed by the police that the aircraft had crashed about 8OO m beyond the outer marker and about 135 m to the right of the ILS centreline.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a stall during approach in the configuration landing gear extended, flaps 30°. At the time of impact the four engines were nearly at full power. The Board has not been able to establish the cause of this stall whose pattern, according to the data supplied by the Soviet experts, can only be compatible with a G-load manoeuvre. The Board has not been able to discover what caused the manoeuvre.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 in Bilbao: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1960
Operator:
Registration:
N2631B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Madrid – Paris
MSN:
520-143
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Madrid to Paris. While in cruising altitude, he encountered technical problems with an engine and requested the permission to divert to Bilbao-Sondica Airport. On final approach, following an uneventful descent, the airplane stalled and crashed 500 meters short of runway threshold. The aircraft, owned by S. Sehranger, was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1649 Starliner near Milan: 68 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1959 at 1735 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7313C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Athens – Rome – Milan – Paris – Shannon – Gander – Chicago
MSN:
1015
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
TW891
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
59
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
68
Captain / Total flying hours:
25514
Captain / Total hours on type:
682.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
12150
Copilot / Total hours on type:
76
Aircraft flight hours:
6671
Circumstances:
About fifteen minutes after it departed Milan-Malpensa Airport, while cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. It is believed the airplane was hit by lightning when the right wing broke off shortly later. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and eventually crashed in a field located 32 km northwest of Milan. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 68 occupants have been killed.
More info on https://www.olgiateolona26giugno1959.org/cra_e.html
Probable cause:
The breaking-up in flight was due to the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7, followed immediately by either an explosion of pressure or a further explosion in tank no.6. In the absence of other significant concrete evidence, taking into account the stormy weather conditions, with frequent electric discharges, existing in the area at the time of the crash, it may be assumed that the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7 was set off, through the outlet pipes, by igniting of the gasoline vapours issuing from these pipes as a consequence of static electricity discharges (streamer corona) which developed on the vent outlets.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault M.D.312M Flamant in Cannes: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1957 at 1207 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
11.S.12
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cannes – Paris
MSN:
310
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 17 at Cannes-Saint-Cassien Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion about one km from the runway end. It was destroyed by a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed, among them Vice-Amiral Pierre Lancelot who was en route to Paris-Le Bourget Airport after a FAMMAC meeting in Cannes.
Crew (11S Squadron):
Cpt Vauchez, pilot,
Lt Le Mentec, pilot,
M/Sgt Georges Tisserand, mechanic,
M/Sgt Jean Boullie, radio operator.
Passenger:
Vice-Amiral Pierre Lancelot, Head of Staff of the French Navy.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the loss of control was caused by an error of the crew who did not prepare the flight according to procedures and failed to remove prior to takeoff the chock (splint) blocking the elevators while on the ground.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Berkswell

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1956
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGLR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – Birmingham
MSN:
6781
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Birmingham Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew elected to make an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in flames in a field located in Berkswell, about 5 miles short of runway 33 threshold. While all nine occupants were injured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It is believed the accident was caused by a fuel exhaustion but fuel remained probably in auxiliary tank as the aircraft caught fire.

Crash of a Vickers 610 Viking 1B in Paris

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIVG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – London
MSN:
220
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, a tire burst on one of the main gear. As the decision speed was reached, the crew continued the takeoff procedure and started the rotation. During initial climb, the captain encountered vibrations and informed ATC about the situation. He decided to return and completed a belly landing. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for dozen yards, veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. All 34 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a tire burst on one of the main landing gear during the takeoff procedure.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-4 in Amsterdam: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1953 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH-TEI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Amsterdam – Paris
MSN:
125
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
7104
Circumstances:
After a run of 700 meters on runway 05, the captain started to rotate. During the initial climb, at a height of approximately 50 to 60 feet and at a speed of 233 km/h, the pilot-in-command retracted the flaps when the aircraft lost height and stalled. The pilot closed the throttles and belly landed the airplane on the remaining runway. The aircraft slid for 200 meters, overran, crossed a road where it struck two standing girls before coming to rest near a drainage ditch, broken in two. All 34 occupants were evacuated safely while two girls aged 16 and 4 were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. During the extensive technical investigation no facts were found to be true for a technical failure of any part of the aircraft before the accident. The damping of the cable tensioners did not fully meet the specifications however, the Board considered that this could hardly have affected steerability. The ascent was somewhat flatter than normal and possibly created the rapid execution of the commands "flaps up" and "first power reduction" provide a greater condition steering movement required than the captain was used to. That need not be serious as long as the captain retained the confidence he had could bring back the plane in ascending flight. All in all, the investigation did not provide a clear cause for the captain Of course it is important that one of the conclusions of the Council was that “On the basis of the foregoing, the Board, together with the preliminary investigator, is of the opinion that in this case does not warrant the application of any sanction against the person is present.