Region
Europe

Crash of a North American B-25J-35-NC Mitchell in Melun

Date & Time: May 31, 2011 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Société de Développement et de Promotion de l'Aviation
Registration:
F-AZZU
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melun - Melun
MSN:
108-47562
YOM:
1944
Location:
Melun-Villaroche
Seine-et-Marne
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a local flight at Melun-Villaroche Airport. Few minutes after takeoff, while flying at low height, the engine caught fire. The pilot elected to return to the airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft collided with power cables then crashed on its belly in a field, coming to rest in flames. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The right engine caught fire in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules in Paris

Date & Time: Nov 19, 2010 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
7T-WHA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Boufarik - Paris-Le Bourget
MSN:
4997
YOM:
1984
Location:
Paris-Le Bourget
Seine-Saint-Denis
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing on runway 07 at Le Bourget Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and came to rest. All 9 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and withdrawn from use in LBG.
Probable cause:
Left main gear collapsed upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 2010 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Registration:
F-BVTB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Aix-les-Milles - Aix-les-Milles
MSN:
LJ-579
YOM:
1973
Location:
Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon
Bouches-du-Rhône
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9925
Captain / Total hours on type:
2100.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
499
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
9716
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Aix-les-Milles Airport at 1520LT on a local training flight. The crew was cleared to fly between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. The aircraft overflew successively Marseille and Toulon then passed over Le Castellet. While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet and at a speed of 110 knots, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent, dove into the ground with a rate of descent of 6,000 feet per minute and crashed in a near vertical position in a rocky zone located in the Sainte-Victoire Mountain Range, near Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed, one instructor and one pilot under supervision.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during an exercise at low speed and certainly in a single engine configuration.
Contributory factors:
- No reference methods to conduct the exercise, for instructors on this type of aircraft,
- Exercise conducted in a height which insufficient margin and lower than the one recommended by the manufacturer,
- Insufficient vigilance on part of the instructor (however with unanimous recognized skills) but whose instruction on Beechcraft King Air 90 could not be established.
Final Report:
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