Cannes – Paris

On October 7, 1957 at 12:07 PM, Cannes – Paris experienced a crash involving Dassault M.D.315 Flamant, operated by French Navy, with the event recorded near Cannes Alpes-Maritimes.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration 11.S.12, MSN 310, year of manufacture 1952.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 43.5653°, 7.0082°.