French Navy

Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic

The aircraft was returning to Djibouti City following a maritime patrol flight. While cruising north of the Gulf of Tadjourah, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. At an altitude of 950 meters, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Day Forest National Park located 17 km west of Tadjourah and 50 km northwest of Djibouti City. The aircraft was destroyed and all 19 occupants were killed. Crew: Ev1 Dominique Meunier, Mp Michel Blandin, Mp Michel Pacatte, Pm Dominique Py, Pm Christian Topin, Pm Jacques Tassin, Pm André Chaumont, Mtre Daniel D'Hulster, Mtre Eric Montet, Mtre Eric Maucars, Sm Laurent Faubet, Sm Pierre Pugi, Qm2 Patrick Simond, Qm2 Didier Formet, Pm Gilbert Crouilles. Passengers: Ev2 René-François Foin, Maj Bernard Jolliard, Mp Jean Marot, S/C Umberto Cirasaro.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The crew was completing a local training flight at Nouméa-La Tontouta consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. After takeoff, while climbing by night, the crew initiated a turn when the four engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Kokoreta at an altitude of 1,002 meters and located 10 km east of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed. Crew: LdV Guy Celton, pilot, MP Marcel Crusson, copilot, MP Monroe Podlesnik, mechanic, 1st M Bernard Lefuraut, mechanic, 1st M Claude Wullaert, navigator, 1st M Jean Decoudu, electronics, M Paul Gavard-Pivet, mechanic.

Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic

Following a night takeoff from Moroni-Hahaya Airport runway 02, while climbing at an altitude of 500 feet, the airplane entered a right turn when it crashed on the slope of Mt Zembadjou located about 8 km northeast of the airport, bursting into flames. All 18 occupants were killed. Crew: Lt dV Philippe Mougenot, Ens dV Jean-Yves Cistas, Ens dV Olivier de Lassus Saint-Geniès, MP Eugène Normant, PM Serge Lapp, PM Alain de Maison, PM Yves Hennequart, M Jean-Claude Montfort, M Michel Renier, M Éric Peraudeau, M Dominique Faure, M Patrick Boudouin, M Dominique Moisdon, SM François-Xavier Winterhalter, SM Patrick Rousseau, SM Jean-Louis Audren, QM Bertrand Lion, QM Éric Lourenco.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

On approach to Lorient-Lann-Bihoué NAS, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with fog. On final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few hundred yards short of runway 26 threshold. Three crew members were seriously wounded while six others were killed. Those killed were: Ens Valbur, pilot, O/T Lars, copilot, 1st Mst Busson, navigator, 1st Mst Jaffré, electrician, 1st Mst Le Goff, mechanic, 2nd Mst Le Bihan, mechanic.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

The airplane was engaged in a tactical exercice over the Atlantic Ocean and was carrying 12 members of the Escadrille 25F. Shortly after a night takeoff from Lorient-Lann-Bihoué Naval Air Station, while in initial climb in poor weather conditions, the airplane entered a left turn then plunged into the earth and crashed onto a small hill located in Kergantic, about 3 km southwest of the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Henri Debray, S/S Yvon Sivy, 1st Mst Michel Bioux, 1st Mst Louis Jacquemard, 1st Mst Gérard Donaghy, 1st Mst Achille Le Riblair, 1st Mst René Milewski, 1st Mst Pierre Le Guerroué, 1st Mst Roger Perrucchieti, Mst Jacques Bigot, Mst Jean-Pierre Frangé, Mst Jean-Marie Frison.

Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic

Registered 43 (F-XCVX), the aircraft was engaged in a demo flight at the annual Farnborough Airshow and was carrying five officers of the flottille 22F based at Nîmes-Garons Naval Air Station, France. Following several circuits, the crew decided to make a new low pass in front of the spectators with the left engine shut down and its propeller feathered. On final, while at an altitude of 300 feet and a speed of 140 knots with the flaps down to 10°, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion on a parking located few hundred yards short of runway. Upon impact, the empennage was torn off and crashed on the roof of the staff mess of the British Air Force Aeronautical Research Center. All five crew members were killed as well one man on the ground. Crew: Cpt Jean-Yves Saint-M'Leux, OE1 G. Durand, EV C. Lemaire, QM R. Bequier, S/Maj A. Goasguen.

Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic

The aircraft was engaged in a NATO exercise over the north of Europe. Shortly after midnight, the crew informed ground about his position. While cruising by night and limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Prins Karls Forland at a speed of 320 km/h in a slight nose-up attitude, in the west part of Svalbard archipelago. The wreckage was spotted by the crew of a Norwegian Air Force HU-16 Albatross a day later about 500 feet below the summit. All 11 crew members were killed.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

The crew departed Lorient-Lann Bihoué Naval Air Station on a maritime patrol flight on behalf of the 24F Group. En route, in unknown circumstances, the airplane crashed into the Iroise Sea, some 40 nautical miles off the Ar-Men lighthouse, Britain. All 13 crew members were killed. Crew: Lieutenant de Vaisseau Thaddée Tyl, pilot, Maître Guy Stivalet, pilot, Lieutenant de Vaisseau Jean-François Lucas, navigator, Enseigne de Vaisseau Jacques Guillemette, navigator, Maître Michel Maurin, navigator, Premier Maître François Connan, flight engineer, Premier Maître Raymond Couturier, flight engineer, Maître Joseph Vanteene, flight engineer, Premier Maître Léopold Claulin, electronician, Maître Bernard Gueneguan, electronician, Maître Joseph Helliott, electronician, Maître Jean-Claude Pledel, electronician, Second Maître Louis Delannoy.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

The crew departed Bousfer Airbase in Algeria on a long distance navigation training mission to Heraklion, Greece, on behalf of the Flotille 21.F based at Nîmes-Garons NAS, France. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was approaching Heraklion Airport when an engine caught fire. Control was lost and the airplane crashed few km from the runway threshold. Four crew members were injured and nine others were killed. The civil registration of the aircraft was F-XCUR. Those killed were: OE3 Henri Schimpf, EV2 Pollard, PM Brocard, MT Le Bris, MT Henry, MT Didier, MT Aguen, SM François, SM Jégou.

Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic

The crew departed Nîmes-Garons Airbase for a tests flight. En route, the airplane exploded in mid-air and crashed in a field located in Revel. Debris scattered on a wide area and all three crew members were killed.

SNCASO SO.95 Corse

The crew was performing a liaison flight on behalf of the contingent based at Lann-Bihoué NAS. En route, the right engine caught fire and the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie. While all occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.

Dassault M.D.315 Flamant

The crew was completing a liaison flight from Hyères-Le Palyvestre Airbase. While cruising in misty conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located northwest of Solliès-Toucas, Var. The wreckage was found near the Saint-Hubert convent. All three crew members were killed. Crew (Escadrille 3.S.): EV Jean-Pierre Besson, Mt Ollivier, SM Barrel.

Grumman G-21A Goose

Crashed on takeoff from Tambacounda Airport for unknown reason. The seaplane was destroyed and all six occupants were killed, among them the French Commodore Pierre Ponchardier and his wife.

SNCASO SO.95 Corse

The twin engine aircraft crash landed in a field, lost its undercarriage and came to rest, broken in two. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off. The exact date of the occurrence remains unknown.

Avro 683 Lancaster

En route to Agadir by night, the crew informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to divert to Casablanca Airport. Shortly later, the airplane crashed in flames on a hilly terrain near El Kelâa des Sraghna, killing all 20 occupants. The airplane was also coded WU-26.

Short S.25 Sunderland

After completing a short local training flight, the crew was returning to his base at Bel-Air NAS in Dakar. Upon landing, the seaplane bounced and eventually broke in two and partially sank few dozen yards off the district of Hann Bel-Air, into the bay of Hann. Three crew members were killed while eight others were rescued. Few hours later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (27F Squadron): Mst Albert Le Prunnec, gunner, † Mst Jean Quioc, navigator, Off Legoff, Off Giroguy, 2nd Mst Pierre Dauris, Mst Jean Roche, 2nd Mst Marcel Riou, Q/Mst Jean Gougeard, Off Le Mouzy, † Off Coen, † Off Jourdan. †

Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris

The crew was conducting a demonstration flight at Lisbon-Portela de Sacavém Airport. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and struck the ground few hundred yards short of runway threshold and crashed. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Short S.25 Sunderland

The seaplane overturned while landing in the harbor of Port-Étienne by night. Three crew members were killed while eight others were injured. Few hours later, two of the survivors died from their injuries. Crew (27F Squadron): Lt Pierre Kerblat, pilot, † 2nd Mst Savannaz, pilot, 1st Mst René Gaspard, radio operator, † 2nd Mst Revert, radio operator, 2nd Mst Marc, navigator, † 2nd Mst Orlowrai, navigator, 2nd Mst Lucien Laloux, mechanic, † 2nd Mst Proco, mechanic, 2nd Mst Le Bars, gunner, † 2nd Mst Lachasseigne, gunner, 2nd Mst Bonnet, gunner.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

Shortly after takeoff from Oran-Es Senia Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed 3 km from the airfield. All eight crew members were killed.

Dassault M.D.315 Flamant

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.

Grumman G-21A Goose

The crew left Lartigue Airbase (Tafraoui AFB) in Oran on a maritime patrol flight along the coast, between cape Carbon and Cape Tenès, Algiers region. While flying northwest of Béjaïa, the airplane encountered strong downdrafts and crashed on a rocky terrain overlooking the sea. The copilot was killed while three other occupants were injured. Crew: T/Sgt Parfait, pilot, T/Sgt Thinon, copilot, † T/Sgt Pichon, gunner, T/Sgt Jean Claude Deniel, radio operator.

Nord 1402 Noroit

The crew left Bizerte-Sidi Ahmed AFB for a local training sortie. While cruising at an altitude of 300 feet, the seaplane nosed down, plunged into the lake of Bizerte and sank by a depth of seven meters. A crew member was rescued while seven others were killed. The aircraft was recovered but was destroyed. Crew (53S Squadron): 2nd Master Michel Chosserie, 2nd Master Pierre Barbanchon, mechanic, † Lt Guy Sauvage, † Off Bernard Dorion, † 1st Master Joseph Le Berre, mechanic, † Master Henri Menagerm, radio operator, † 2nd Master Robert Mignot, † Second Master L’Aot, radio operator. †

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire and crashed near Son La. Seven crew members were killed while two others were injured. Crew: M. Monguillon, pilot, M. Royssat, pilot, M. Le Coz, navigator, M. Bouissou, mechanic, M. Stephan, mechanic, M. Hoog, radio operator, M. Lacrosse, radio operator, M. Carpenter, gunner, M. Keromnes, gunner.

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire while overflying Ði<U+1EC7>n Biên Ph<U+1EE7>. All nine crew members were killed. Crew: M. Manfanovski, pilot, M. Gauthiez, pilot, M. Ruello-Kermellin, navigator, M. Puyjalinet, mechanic, M. Iltis, radio operator, M. Guiliano, radio operator, M. Chaigne, radio operator, M. Bourson, gunner, M. Paumier, gunner.

Junkers JU.52

While flying by night at an altitude of 3,600 feet, the three engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located about 10 km north of Zaghouan while on a flight from Oran to Bizerte. All 15 occupants were killed. Crew: Mr. Even, pilot, Michel Hauss, pilot, Mr. Bertin, flight engineer, Mr. Lelionnais, radio operator. Passengers: Maurice Rouyer, Raymond Le Saulnier, Bernard Le Mancq, Pierre Le Boulicaut, Robert Gaudel, Joseph Diler, Ygnacio De Labaca, René Automarchi, Guy André 2.

Dassault M.D.315 Flamant

The crew was performing a training sortie from Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël NAS. En route, in unknown circumstances, the twin engine aircraft crashed on the rocky slope of a mountain located about 9 km north of Sainte-Maxime. All six crew members were killed. Crew (10S Squadron): Aloïs Rabain, navigator René Tosello, Roger Falcou 3.

Nord 1402 Noroit

While cruising in low visibility due to foggy conditions, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain located in the Coirons Mountain Range, near Saint-Bauzile. All five crew members were killed. Crew: Charles Deschamps, pilot, Marcel Laurière, flight engineer, Emmanuel Marot, mechanic, Alfred Sohn, mechanic, Jean-Marie Legall, radio operator.

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Shortly after takeoff from Saigon-Tân Son Nhât Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion. A pilot was seriously injured while 12 other crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Audibert, chief of staff for the 8.F. fleet, pilot, † M. Thedenat, pilot, M. Lasalle, mechanic, † M. Dupont, mechanic, † M. Rousse, radio operator, † M. Coche, mechanic, † M. Froget, radio operator, † M. Deberghes, navigator, † M. Blin, navigator, † M. Depré, gunner, † Cpt Venot, chief of the Tân Son Nhât Airbase, † M. Enault, mechanic, † M. Souret, mechanic. †

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

Crashed on approach following an engine failure. A crew member was killed, pilot Perrault.

Breguet 730

The crew was performing a flight from Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, south of Toulon, Var, to Port Lyautey, Morocco. The approach to the airbase was started from the southwest, but for unknown reason, the pilot was too low. The seaplane hit power cables and banked left, causing the left wing to hit the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled and crashed in flames along the Sebou River, few km from the airfield. Four crew members and three passengers were killed while all 20 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft christened 'Sirius' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The four crew members (33S Squadron) who were killed were: PM Maurice Souny, 2SM Roger Pouget, 2QM Raymond Jeandot, SM Joseph Cariou.

Vickers 458 Wellington XI

Shortly after takeoff from Port Lyautey Airbase (now Kénitra), while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Mehdia. All six crew members were killed. Crew (2F Squadron): 2nd Q/Mst Georges Nicolas 5.

Avro 652 Anson

Shortly after takeoff from Oran-Es Senia Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed for unknown reason. Both pilots were killed. Crew (56S Squadron): 1QM Marcel Fustec, 2Mot Lyonel François.

Short S.25 Sunderland

The crew consisting of 15 pilots and engineers was engaged in a test flight following engine maintenance. The departure was attempted by night and on rough sea. During the takeoff procedure completed off Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, while at a speed of 100 km/h, the seaplane registered EJ163 (7.F-6) hit three successives waves then broke in two just before the wings. The front part including the cockpit sank rapidly while the rear part came to rest few hundred yards off shore. Four crew members were killed, seven others were injured and four were unhurt.

Short S.25 Sunderland

Shortly after takeoff from Dakar-Yoff Airport, the seaplane registered ML851 (7.F-1) went out of control and crashed into the sea off the suburb of Les Almadies. All ten crew members were killed.

Junkers JU.52

In unknown circumstances, the three engine aircraft registered 1036 (32 S-1) crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the Oued Massa region, about 55 km southwest of Agadir. All 18 occupants were killed. The aircraft was en route to Dakar when the accident occurred.

Vickers 467 Wellington XIV

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea five NM north of Falcon Cape, northwest off Oran while performing a maritime patrol flight. All eight crew members were killed. Crew: François Faure, pilot, Jean Boulicaut, René Bresson 5.

Avro 652 Anson

While performing a solo training mission at Oran-Tafraoui Airfield (called BAN Lartigue in the 40's), the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Ouardia, about 2 km from the airport. The pilot Robert Georges Gosselin was killed.

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Port Lyautey Airbase, killing all four crew members.

Vickers 458 Wellington XI

Crashed in unknown circumstances on Gorée Island, off Dakar. Two crew members were killed and five others were injured.

CAMS 55

The airplane departed Cherbourg harbor on a training sortie with three other similar airplanes. While returning to its base at night, the floatplane crashed in unknown circumstances on a sand dune located north of Cosqueville, bursting into flames. A crew member was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed. The following day, the only survivor died from his injuries. Crew: EV2 Jean-Paul Colas, pilot, Q/Me André Dieudonné Aimé Dolhant, radio operator, S/M Liévin Émile Dumont, pilot stoker, S/M André Charles Gaston Huet, mechanic. Passenger: Henri Marie Rampont, doctor.

CAMS 55

The crew was returning to Bizerte Airbase (Karouba) following a combined exercise with another similar aircraft. On final approach, the seaplane encountered sudden and violent squall when the right wing impacted the cliff of the Carrières and crashed. Three crew members were rescued while four others were killed. Those killed were: Lt/V Georges Marie Charles Dupuy, Ens Gilbert Pichery, 2nd Mst Auffray, Q/Mst Douérin.

Farman F.168 Goliath

Shortly after takeoff from Bizerte-Sidi Ahmed AFB, while climbing at night, the crew encountered engine problems. The captain decided to return for a safe landing and completed a circuit from the south. At low height, the airplane collided with power cables and crashed in Azib, some 12 km southeast of the airbase, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Jean Desportes, Mst/P Péan, pilot, 2nd Mst Berroche, radio operator, Q/Mst Delahaye, mechanic.

Lioré-et-Olivier LeO H-13

Few minutes after takeoff from the harbor of Ajaccio, the seaplane aircraft went out of control and crashed in a mountainous area located near Appietto, some 10 km north of Ajaccio. Three passengers and the pilot Desnoyelles were killed while the radio navigator was seriously injured and rescued.