On July 4, 1964, a Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso) (registration F-ZBAR) operated by Sécurité civile was involved in an aviation accident near Pierrelatte, France during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the torque tube on the nose gear caused the unexpected opening of the nose gear door while taking off. 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.
During a scooping mission on the Donzère-Mondragon Canal near Pierrelatte, a seaplane's nose gear door opened due to a technical failure, leading to water ingress, loss of control, and a collision with the bank. Both pilots were uninjured; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Incident Overview
On the Donzère-Mondragon Canal near Pierrelatte, a seaplane crew was engaged in a scooping mission. During takeoff, the nose gear door unexpectedly opened due to a technical failure. Water entered the gear bay as a result of the door opening, causing a loss of control. The seaplane veered to the right and struck the bank before coming to rest partially submerged.
Occupant and Aircraft Status
Both pilots on board were uninjured in the accident. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a failure of the torque tube on the nose gear, which caused the unexpected opening of the nose gear door during takeoff.