Were there any fatalities in the 20 Sept 1968 Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

Farnborough Airshow Demo Flight Ends in Crash, Five Crew and One Ground Personnel Killed (43/F-XCVX)

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Sept 1968 involved a Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic, registration 43/F-XCVX, operated by French Navy (Aéronavale - Marine Nationale), at Farnborough, United Kingdom.

On September 20, 1968, a Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic (registration 43/F-XCVX) operated by French Navy (Aéronavale - Marine Nationale) was involved in an aviation accident near Farnborough, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: As a result of the undercarriage having been left extended, it is possible that the air speed at the time of unfeathering the port prop was less than normal, and less than intended by the pilot. This in itself would not have resulted in an accident. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781238451Data API Editorial standards

During a demo flight at the Farnborough Airshow, a naval aircraft stalled and crashed on a parking area short of the runway. The empennage struck a building. All five crew members and one person on the ground were killed.

Incident Overview

On the day of the accident, an aircraft registered as 43 (F-XCVX) was performing a demonstration flight at the annual Farnborough Airshow. The aircraft was carrying five officers from flottille 22F, based at Nîmes-Garons Naval Air Station, France. After several circuits, the crew decided to execute a low pass in front of spectators with the left engine shut down and its propeller feathered.

Sequence of Events

During the final approach, at an altitude of 300 feet and a speed of 140 knots with flaps extended to 10°, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a large explosion on a parking area located a few hundred yards short of the runway. Upon impact, the empennage separated and struck the roof of the staff mess of the British Air Force Aeronautical Research Center. The crash resulted in the deaths of all five crew members and one individual on the ground.

Crew

The crew members were identified as Cpt Jean-Yves Saint-M'Leux, OE1 G. Durand, EV C. Lemaire, QM R. Bequier, and S/Maj A. Goasguen.

Official Findings

The investigation determined that the undercarriage had been left extended. As a result, the airspeed at the time of unfeathering the port propeller was possibly less than normal and less than intended by the pilot. This condition alone would not have caused the accident. However, possibly due to a control jam, the necessary rudder deflection to counteract the asymmetric thrust from the starboard engine and the drag of the unfeathered port propeller was not applied. This was the most important cause, allowing yaw, sideslip, and roll to develop to the extent that the pilot had inadequate control of the left turn he had initiated. The aircraft's height and speed were insufficient to permit recovery by reducing power on the starboard engine. Bank increased beyond the point at which level flight could be sustained, and the aircraft stalled in the turn and crashed.

Probable cause

As a result of the undercarriage having been left extended, it is possible that the air speed at the time of unfeathering the port prop was less than normal, and less than intended by the pilot. This in itself would not have resulted in an accident. Possibly because of a control jam, the rudder deflection necessary at this speed to balance the asymmetric thrust of the starboard engine and the drag of the unfeathered port propeller, was not applied. This was the most important cause, and allowed yaw, sideslip and roll to develop to the extent that the pilot had inadequate control of the port turn which he had initiated. The aircraft’s height and speed were insufficient to permit recovery by a reduction of power on the starboard engine. Bank therefore increased beyond the point at which level flight could be sustained, and the aircraft stalled in the turn and crashed.