Accident Overview
During a final approach to Caen-Carpiquet Airport in poor weather conditions, the captain decided to abort the landing and execute a go-around procedure. In response, the captain increased engine power and instructed the copilot to set the flaps to the appropriate angle for the go-around. However, the copilot inadvertently raised the flaps instead of adjusting them correctly.
Sequence of Events
The erroneous flap retraction caused a significant loss of lift, leading the aircraft to stall. It subsequently struck the runway surface. The impact sheared off the undercarriage, and the aircraft skidded for several dozen meters before coming to rest. Remarkably, all three people on board evacuated without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be inadvertent retraction of the flaps while initiating a go-around procedure, compounded by poor crew coordination.