Twin-engine aircraft accident near Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport

10 fatalities • Nice-Côte d’Azur, France • Landing (descent or approach)

A twin-engine airplane crashed into the sea during its final approach to Nice, resulting in the deaths of all ten people on board.

What happened

A twin-engine aircraft was performing a multi-leg charter flight originating in Copenhagen, with scheduled stops in Stockholm and Coventry before reaching Nice. The passengers included representatives from the Swedish company Atlas Copco.

As the aircraft was executing its final turn during the approach to runway 05 at Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport, the plane experienced a stall. The aircraft subsequently impacted the water approximately one kilometer before reaching the runway threshold. Search efforts recovered some floating debris, but the primary wreckage descended into an underwater canyon at a depth of roughly 1,500 meters. There were 10 fatalities among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations concluded that the accident occurred because both engines ceased operation nearly at the same time during the final approach phase. While investigators could not identify the specific trigger for the failure of the right engine, they determined that the left engine stopped running due to a failure in the accessory drive gearbox. This mechanical failure was linked to the development of fatigue cracks, a condition previously identified in other engines of the same model.

Probable cause

The simultaneous loss of power from both engines, caused by an accessory drive gearbox failure on the left engine and an unidentified failure on the right, led to an aerodynamic stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1979-09-03 Aérospatiale SN.601 Corvette accident near Nice-Côte d’Azur, France?

A twin-engine airplane crashed into the sea during its final approach to Nice, resulting in the deaths of all ten people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1979-09-03 Aérospatiale SN.601 Corvette accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 10 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1979-09-03 involved a Aérospatiale SN.601 Corvette, registration OY-SBS, operated by Sterling Airways, at Nice-Côte d’Azur, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The simultaneous loss of power from both engines, caused by an accessory drive gearbox failure on the left engine and an unidentified failure on the right, led to an aerodynamic stall.

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