Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in Saint-Denis: 19 killed

The four engine aircraft with dual registration F-RAFB and 43748 was engaged in a flight from Saint-Denis de la Réunion to Paris with an intermediate stop at Djibouti City, on behalf of the Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles (GLAM). It arrived at Saint-Denis Airport in the morning and was supposed to stay an overnight in Saint-Denis. Thus, the crew was released for the day but finally called for a departure in the evening. 55 seconds after takeoff from runway 13 in light rain, the pilot was contacted by the controller at the airport who told him he was turning to the wrong direction and asked him to make an immediate turn to the left while gaining altitude. The pilot acknowledged the message when the left wing struck two araucarias and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 5 km southeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and only one passenger survived while 19 other occupants were killed, among them General Charles Ailleret, Chief of Staff of the French Army. He was returning to Paris following an inspection of the French troops stationed in the Indian Ocean. The only survivor was Mrs Michèle Renard, personal nurse of General Ailleret.
Crew:
Cpt Pradier, pilot, †
Cpt Gaëtan, pilot, †
S/Lt Roulot, pilot, †
Lt Pezet, radio navigator, †
Lt Dombey, radio navigator, †
S/Lt Brando, radio navigator, †
Adj Ferdonnet, mechanic, †
Adj Bouzereau, mechanic, †
Sgt Guiho, mechanic, †
Adj Berrier, steward, †
Sgt Burigo, steward, †
Sgt Rouzeau, steward. †
Passengers:
Gen Charles Ailleret, †
Mrs Liliane Ailleret, Gen Ailleret spouse, †
Mrs Annick Ailleret, Gen Ailleret daughter, †
Gen Henri Carles, chief of staff, †
Col Fehner, Aviation chief of staff, †
Cpt Philipon, Gen Ailleret personal doctor, †
Cpt Commerçon, Gen Ailleret personal aide, †
Mrs Michèle Renard, Gen Ailleret personal nurse.