What happened
During a flight from Nice to Marseille, the crew initiated their descent toward Marignane Airport. While operating at night in low visibility conditions caused by clouds, the aircraft collided with the slope of a mountain in the Sainte-Beaume Mountain Range near Gémenos. The impact resulted in immediate fatalities for two occupants and serious injuries to the third. Although one individual survived the initial crash, they succumbed to their injuries two days later, resulting in a total loss of all three people on board.
The aircraft involved was delivered on September 5, 1945, and entered service on June 8, 1946. The crew consisted of a pilot, a radio navigator, and a mechanic.
Findings
Investigators concluded that the accident likely stemmed from an automatic direction finder failure during the approach phase. While cruising in poor visibility, the crew attempted to reduce altitude to establish visual contact with the ground. This maneuver led directly to the collision with the rocky terrain, causing the aircraft to crash in flames.