What happened
On July 16, 1995, a Beechcraft Baron 95-B55, registration F-BMRB, was conducting a private VFR flight from Le Luc-le-Cannet to La Baule-Escoublac. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and two passengers. During the flight, the pilot diverted toward Fontenay Le Comte, likely seeking a landing site for refueling.
At approximately 17:05, both engines ceased operation. The aircraft struck a field at the "Le Grand Marais" site south of Luçon with a high rate of descent and a significant bank angle. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire. While the pilot and the front passenger were killed, the rear passenger was rescued by bystanders before the fire could reach the cabin.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the dual engine failure and the circumstances of the impact. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system, engine logs, and the pilot's flight preparation. The inquiry also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting he held a valid Canadian professional license validated for private use in France.
Technical analysis of the wreckage and the flight path revealed that the aircraft was in a configuration for landing, with the landing gear extended, but the flaps remained retracted and the propellers were not feathered. The investigation also looked into the pilot's navigation, as the aircraft's trajectory suggested a confusion between the locations of Luçon and Fontenay Le Comte.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was fuel exhaustion, which led to the simultaneous failure of both engines.
- The flight was characterized by insufficient preparation and fuel management, as the aircraft did not carry enough fuel to complete the intended mission.
- The pilot's landing preparations were incomplete; the failure to extend flaps and feather the propellers resulted in a steeper descent and higher impact energy.
- The pilot's attempt to maneuver for an emergency landing in a sunflower field led to a steep left turn at the last moment, likely due to the sudden appearance of power lines, which contributed to the severity of the crash.