What happened
On September 14, an aircraft was conducting a post-maintenance control flight departing from Bastia-Poretta Airport at 10:10 local time. This flight followed the recent replacement of cylinder number five in the right engine, which had previously experienced a loss of hydraulic pressure during a flight on August 25.
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic control that the maintenance check was complete and expressed an intention to return to the airport. Due to existing departure traffic, instructions were given to follow a left-hand circuit along the mountains to approach runway 34. Approximately six minutes into the flight, the right engine failed. Twenty seconds later, the left engine also lost power.
The aircraft began descending at a rate between 900 and 1,500 feet per minute. Unable to maintain altitude to reach the airfield, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft struck trees and crashed into an orchard, subsequently catching fire. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft type. All three occupants managed to exit the wreckage on their own, though they sustained injuries.
Findings
- The right engine experienced a failure shortly after the commencement of the flight.
- A subsequent loss of power occurred in the left engine 20 seconds after the initial failure.
- The aircraft was unable to reach the intended runway due to the rapid rate of descent following the dual engine failure.