Private French

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

The pilot, owner of the airplane and manager of the Berdoues Aerodrome, offered a first flight to five people with whom he enjoyed the day and lunch. Arriving at the airport, he spotted a large cumulonimbus to the west of the airport, approaching the runway. He thought he was able to perform the flight before weather conditions would deteriorate and decided to complete a flapless takeoff as usual. While taxiing to the runway and passing in front of the windsock, he realized the wind was from the south at 30 knots. He completed engine test on the runway 08 threshold then started the takeoff procedure. Just prior to rotation, while passing again in front of the windsock, he realized the wind changed and was now from the tail with the same speed. As it was too late to abandon the takeoff procedure, he decided to continue. The single engine airplane took off but encountered difficulties to gain height. It descended, struck a grassy area located past the runway end then struck small trees located 200 meters further. On impact, it lost its undercarriage and its left wing before coming to rest in a pasture located 300 meters from the runway end. All six occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

The single engine aircraft departed Toussus-le-Noble Airport in the early morning on a private flight to Fairoaks with two people on board. About 40 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 18,000 feet, the manifold pressure dropped from 30 to 28 inches of mercury. The pilot increased the engine power when the manifold pressure boosted to 33 inches of mercury then dropped again. Suddenly, a burning smell pervades the cabin. The pilot declared an emergency and elected to divert to Abbeville Airport which was at a distance of 15 NM from his position. While descending, he lowered the landing gear and reduced the engine power. Shortly before reaching FL100, the oil pressure warning light came on, the engine started to vibrate then stopped. At this time, the aircraft was 10 NM from Abbeville Airport, descending in IMC conditions. On short final, at a height of 300 feet, the pilot established a visual contact with the runway but his trajectory was too short. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest 200 metres short of runway 20. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot, sole on board.

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Following a three hours IFR flight, the pilot, also owner of the aerodrome, made a left hand visual circuit at an altitude of 600 feet for runway 26. On final with flaps down two notches, the right side of the airframe and the wing root struck the top of a tree about 80 metres from the runway threshold and 30 metres to the right of its extended centerline. The aircraft struck the ground hard, went out of control and came to rest in a grassy area parallel to the runway. All five occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

Beechcraft 90 King Air

While cruising over the Rhône Valley on a flight from Dinard to Marseille, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an open field located in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Few minutes after his departure from Milan-Malpensa Airport bound for Locarno, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to a cloud layer. The twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located at the altitude of 1,227 meters, on the Campo dei Fiori, on the top of Punta Paradiso, near the astronomic observatory. The pilot and the passenger were killed. Pilot: Cesare Gallone. Passenger: Yvonne Aliette Roulet. Sincere thanks to Isaia Laudi for these information.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

The single engine aircraft departed Lyon-Corbas Airfield on a local skydiving flight, carrying nine skydivers and one pilot. After takeoff, while in initial climb, the pilot encountered control problems. The aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Pontoise. There were no casualties.

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crashed in unknown circumstances on a fuel depot located in the suburb of Nice. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.