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.

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean during the year 1960 (exact date remains unknown).

Farman F.190

While performing a training flight at low altitude, pilot lost control of his aircraft which crashed near a hangar in Buc, south of Versailles, near Paris. Pilot was injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Percival P.10 Vega Gull

The pilot/owner Jean Morel de Foucaucourt and his wife were performing a flight from France to Antananarivo, Madagascar, with several intermediate stops in Africa. On its way from Algiers to Faya-Largeau, Chad, the pilot encountered technical problems and attempted to make an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually crash landed in a desert area in Tibesti and was damaged beyond repair and abandoned. Both occupants were quickly rescued.

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

The twin engine aircraft left Buc Airfield in Seine-et-Oise in the day bound for Agen. While descending to Agen Airport, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located in La Réole. All six occupants were killed. Crew: Albert Garric, pilot and owner. Passengers: Mrs Garric, Max Garric, Mary Garric, Brigitte Fortune, Jean Castaing.

Caudron C.635 Simoun

The crew was performing a flight from New York to Punta Arenas, south Chile. While taking off from Guatemala City Airport, the aircraft was unable to gain height, stalled and crashed in a field past the runway end. Both aviators were injured and aircraft was destroyed. Crew: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, pilot, André Prévot, pilot.

Caudron C.630 Simoun

The crew was taking part to an air race from Antananarivo to Paris to establish a new record. The single engine aircraft left Antananarivo on June 25 at 1900LT. While flying by night over Zanzibar, the aircraft went out of control and crashed on the south coast of the island. Both crewmen were killed. It appears an explosion occurred before the aircraft crashed. Crew: Philippe Tréchot, pilot and owner, M. Monteil, pilot.

Caudron C.630 Simoun

The Caudron C.630 Simoun with s/n 7042 was ordered in July 1935, built and delivered to its owner Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in September 1935. After several trips in Africa, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry decided at the end of December to fly from Paris to Saigon to establish a new record. After 19 hours and 38 minutes of flight, while cruising by night over the Libyan desert, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. The crew decided first to climb to 2,500 meters but cumulus were still there so he reduced his altitude to 1,000 meters then 400 meters and lower until the aircraft struck a sandy ground and crashed. Both occupants were uninjured but walked away for four days without water or any food before being rescued. The aircraft was written off.