What happened
On a daylight scheduled flight operating from Cherbourg, France, an aircraft was attempting to land at Guernsey under conditions characterized by low cloud cover. During the landing sequence, the captain initiated a missed approach. In an effort to execute a go-around, the pilot increased engine power; however, the aircraft was unable to achieve sufficient altitude.
The aircraft began veering toward the right side of the flight path. During this maneuver, the starboard propeller was observed rotating at a reduced speed. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground with its starboard wing, causing the plane to cartwheel. The impact was severe enough that the passenger cabin separated from the primary wreckage, which then ignited. The accident took place at 1416LT.
The crash resulted in two fatalities, involving both pilots on board. Additionally, the flight crew member and all 7 passengers sustained serious injuries during the event.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that a mechanical failure played a central role in the loss of control. Specifically, the automatic pitch coarsening unit on the starboard propeller malfunctioned. This technical failure prevented the pilot from maintaining the necessary level of aircraft control during the critical phase of the missed approach.