SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc

Aviaco - Aviacion y Comercio

The aircraft took off from Vigo airport at 1540 hours on a scheduled flight to Madrid, with a crew of 5 and 16 passengers on board. The flight was cleared IFR for cruising level 95. At 1605 the flight advised Madrid D. F. station that it had overflown Guinzo de Lirnia at 1600, in cloud, and estimated the Salamanca JW radio beacon at 1650. At 1654 the aircraft advised Madrid D. F. station that it had overflown Salamanca at 1650 at level 95 and estimated Madrid at 1730, also that its VHF equipment was out of order, and it was, therefore, requesting Barajas Tower to stand by on 3 023. 5 kc/s. At 1710 Madrid control cleared the aircraft to proceed directly to Barajas radio range, maintaining flight level 95. At 1715 Madrid control authorized the aircraft to switch over to 3 023. 5 kc /s and to establish contact with Barajas Tower on that frequency. This was the last communication with the aircraft. Between 1715 and 1720 the aircraft crashed and burst into flames on the peak of "La Rodilla de la Mujer Muerta" which is 1,999 metres, approximately 800m lower than flight level 95. All aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.

Aviaco - Aviacion y Comercio

On a night approach to Tenerife-Norte-Los Rodeos Airport, the four engine aircraft was too low and struck the ground few km short of runway threshold before crashing onto a house which was destroyed. One person in the house was killed while all occupants on board the aircraft were rescued, among them seven were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. For undetermined reason, the crew was approaching at an insufficient altitude.

Misrair

On final approach to Damascus Airport, while completing the check-list, the crew noted that the three green lights related to the undercarriage were not green. The captain requested confirmation to the controller based in the tower who confirmed that all three landing gear were down. On touchdown, the rain main gear collapsed and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no injuries among the 22 occupants but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air Liban

During the takeoff roll on runway 18, at a speed of 90 knots, the pilot-in-command encountered control difficulties while the aircraft veered to the left side of the runway. He took a corrective action but the airplane started to swerve. In such conditions, he decided to abandon the takeoff run and started an emergency braking procedure, closed the throttle and applied brakes simultaneously. The aircraft then veered off runway to the left at a speed around 50 to 60 knots and while contacting soft ground, lost its left main gear while both left engines struck the ground and came to rest in flames. All nine occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

French Air Force - Armée de l'Air

The aircraft was involved in a training flight from Paris-Le Bourget to Paris-Orly, carrying ten crew members and one engineer from SNCASE. Shortly after takeoff from Paris-Le Bourget Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered technical problems when the flaps were retracted. The four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located in Bonneuil-sur-Marne, about 8 km northeast of Le Bourget Airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed. Crew: Cdt Danna, Cpt Humbert, Lt Dutheil de la Rochère, Adj Dumont, Adj Lottiaux, Adj Verdier, S/Sgt Mauconduit, Sgt Dervin, Sdt Cosson, Sdt Biava. Passenger: Mr. Devos.

Misrair

En route to Khartoum, a technical issue occurred on the engine number one. The pilot informed ATC about his situation and position and elected to return to Cairo-Almaza Airport. Shortly later, he was forced to shut down the engine number one and to feather the propeller. The aircraft belly landed at Almaza Airport and came to rest on runway 36. All 38 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air France

During takeoff run, the four engine aircraft skidded and went out of control. It veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. All 23 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air France

Forty-five seconds after takeoff from runway 04 at Nice Airport, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft banked left, overturned and crashed in a huge explosion near the Saint-Augustin station, north of the airfield. The airplane disintegrated on impact and only a female passenger was found alive. Unfortunately, she died from her injuries four days later. Among those killed were both French actresses Michèle Verly and Lise Topart, and also the Welsh politician John Emlyn-Jones. Crew: Mr. Farrugia, pilot, Mr. Fraillon, radio operator, Mr. Cavaille, mechanic, Mr. Biancheri, steward.

Misrair

While descending to Tehran-Mehrabad Airport, the crew was informed by ATC that a landing was not possible due to low visibility caused by snow falls and was vectored to follow a holding pattern. After completing two circuits, the crew started a second approach when the four engine aircraft crashed about 10 km west of the airport. All 22 occupants were killed. The assumption of a loss of control caused by a fuel exhaustion is not ruled out.

Air France

An undercarriage failed on landing. The four engine aircraft slid on its belly for several yards before coming to rest. All 31 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air France

After touchdown, the four engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and eventually collided with a concrete wall. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all 35 occupants were uninjured.

Air France

The crew was engaged in a test flight from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport to Montauban. At liftoff, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. All five occupants were able to evacuate the cabin but the test pilot Emmanuel Arin fell on a engine on fire and died from his injuries two days later.

Air France

The four engine aircraft suffered an accident in Paris-Le Bourget Airport. There were no casualties.

Air France

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

Air France

Shortly after takeoff from Paris-Le Bourget Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed on a factory located in Romainville, in the suburbs of Paris. All nine occupants were killed while two workers in the factory were slightly injured. The crew was performing a local training flight from Paris-Le Bourget Airport and the takeoff was initiated with one engine voluntarily inoperative. Crew: Georges Lemare, pilot, Charles Fouquet, pilot, François Rogale, copilot, Jean Soulard, radio navigator, Pierre Tolosano, mechanic, Hubert Halter, mechanic, Guy Kerespert, mechanic, Roger Deluc, mechanic, Pierre Ledoux, radio navigator by Air Atlas.

Air France

During the takeoff roll, it appears that an undercarriage failed. The aircraft skidded, overran, lost its landing gear and came to rest with the engine number one on fire. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.