Fatal training accident at Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport

3 fatalities • Montpellier-Méditerranée, France • Landing (descent or approach)

A training flight involving three crew members resulted in a fatal crash into a pond near the runway at Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport.

What happened

On the morning of the accident, a flight crew consisting of a Type Rating Instructor (TRI), a Type Rating Examiner (TRE), and a student pilot departed from Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport at 08:02 local time. The purpose of the flight was a local training session.

During the flight sequence, the aircraft performed a touch-and-go maneuver on runway 31R. Following this maneuver, the instructor initiated a procedure to decrease power on the right engine while attempting a low pass over the runway. During this phase, the aircraft began a left-hand turn but subsequently lost altitude. The aircraft entered a left roll and impacted a pond situated to the right of the runway.

Findings

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were three fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported.

Probable cause

The aircraft lost altitude and entered a roll during a low-power engine test maneuver.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-12-24 Beechcraft 90 King Air accident near Montpellier-Méditerranée, France?

A training flight involving three crew members resulted in a fatal crash into a pond near the runway at Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport.

Were there any fatalities in the 2004-12-24 Beechcraft 90 King Air accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-12-24 involved a Beechcraft 90 King Air, registration F-GVRM, operated by Aéro Pyrénées, at Montpellier-Méditerranée, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft lost altitude and entered a roll during a low-power engine test maneuver.

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