On February 8, 1991, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air (registration F-GHBE) operated by Business Express - France was involved in an aviation accident near Epinal-Mirecourt, France during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of a wrong altimeter setting after the crew thought they were completing the approach under QNH while the aircraft was set on QFE. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine aircraft crashed 4 km short of the runway at Epinal-Mirecourt Airport during a positioning flight. Both pilots died. Investigation attributed the accident to a wrong altimeter setting.
Accident Details
A twin-engine aircraft impacted terrain while on approach to Epinal-Mirecourt Airport during a positioning flight. The wreckage was located in a field approximately 4 kilometers from the runway threshold. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident occurred as a consequence of an incorrect altimeter setting. The crew believed they were conducting the approach using QNH (barometric pressure adjusted to sea level) pressure settings, but the aircraft was set to QFE (barometric pressure adjusted to airport elevation). This discrepancy led to a misinterpretation of altitude, resulting in the aircraft descending below the intended flight path.
No other causal factors were identified.
Probable cause
The accident was the consequence of a wrong altimeter setting after the crew thought they were completing the approach under QNH while the aircraft was set on QFE.