Piper Aztec crashes near Toussus le Noble during ferry flight

Casualties unknown • Toussus le Noble, FR

A Piper PA 23 250 crashed shortly after takeoff from Toussus le Noble, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On September 7, 1999, at 08:35 UTC, a Piper PA 23 250 Aztec, registration F-BOHS, crashed near the Toussus le Noble airfield in France. The aircraft was engaged in a private ferry flight, intended to proceed from Touss and le Noble to Perpignan as the first leg of a journey to Benin.

After receiving departure clearance, the aircraft took off at 08:33 UTC. Shortly after departure, the aircraft entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) due to very low ceilings and poor visibility. The aircraft failed to contact Villacoublay control after leaving the Toussus frequency. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft struck trees near a pond, climbed a bank, and ultimately crashed onto a golf course green, approximately two kilometers from the runway end. The impact resulted in two fatalities, including the pilot, and the total destruction of the aircraft.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the flight's execution under degraded weather and the crew's lack of familiarity with the aircraft type. Investigators examined the wreckage and found no mechanical anomalies that would have compromised airworthiness.

Key findings regarding the cockpit setup revealed that the navigation (NAV) units were switched to the OFF position, meaning the crew could not utilize the VOR or ADF for navigation. Furthermore, the frequencies tuned on the instruments did not match the required frequencies for the assigned departure route. The investigation also noted that the pilot's French IFR qualification had expired, and neither the pilot nor the passenger had recent experience on this specific aircraft type.

Findings

  • The decision to proceed with the flight in degraded meteorological conditions while lacking familiarity with the aircraft type.
  • The crew encountered extremely low visibility immediately after takeoff.
  • The navigation systems were not properly configured, with the NAV switches in the OFF position.
  • The aircraft performed a turn back toward the airfield, which may have been a deliberate maneuver to regain visual contact with the ground or an uncontrolled drift due to disorientation.
  • The pilot lacked recent IFR experience and was flying an aircraft type for which he had no prior experience.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the decision to fly in poor weather conditions without sufficient familiarity with the aircraft, leading to a descent or turn back toward the airfield while in instrument meteorological conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-09-07 MINISTERE DE L’EQUIPEMENT, DES TRANSPPORTS, DU LOGEMENT, DU TOURISME ET DE LA MER – BUREAU D'ENQUETES ET D'ANALYSES POUR LA SECURITE DE L'AVIATION CIVILE Accident survenu le 7 septembre 1999 à Toussus le Noble accident near Toussus le Noble, FR?

A Piper PA 23 250 crashed shortly after takeoff from Toussus le Noble, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-09-07 involved a MINISTERE DE L’EQUIPEMENT, DES TRANSPPORTS, DU LOGEMENT, DU TOURISME ET DE LA MER – BUREAU D'ENQUETES ET D'ANALYSES POUR LA SECURITE DE L'AVIATION CIVILE Accident survenu le 7 septembre 1999 à Toussus le Noble, registration F-BOHS, at Toussus le Noble, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the decision to fly in poor weather conditions without sufficient familiarity with the aircraft, leading to a descent or turn back toward the airfield while in instrument meteorological conditions.

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