What happened
On the day of the accident, the crew arrived at Biggin Hill Airport in Kent for a scheduled flight to Pau, France. Around 11:30 hrs, the aircraft was moved from its overnight parking spot on the Southern Apron to a handling agent's area. During this period, the pilot performed an external pre-flight inspection and requested weather printouts from ground staff. The second pilot joined the aircraft at approximately 11:45 hrs.
Passengers arrived at the handling agent's lounge at 13:00 hrs, at which point their luggage was loaded into the nose compartment. After the passengers boarded, the pilot intended to conduct a safety briefing before closing the aircraft door. The engines were started at 13:17 hrs, and the aircraft received clearance to taxi to holding point A1 at 13:20 hrs. At 13:31 hrs, air traffic control cleared the aircraft type to line up on Runway 21, followed by takeoff clearance at 13:32 hrs. The tower controller observed the initial takeoff and noted that operations appeared normal.
One minute after departure, the aircraft was observed flying at a very low altitude over a populated area approximately 2 nm north-north-east of the airport. Witnesses noted the aircraft passing over houses and playing fields. While observations regarding the landing gear and engine noise varied among witnesses, some reported a nose-high attitude and banking maneuvers. During this low-level flight, the left wing of the aircraft type struck a house near a wooded area. The aircraft subsequently hit the ground between two buildings and ignited. There were 0 survivors on board, and while no individuals on the ground were hurt, all occupants were fatally injured.
Findings
Witness accounts regarding the engine state were inconsistent; some observers heard no engine noise, while others reported high thrust or a pulsing, intermittent sound. The aircraft's flight path involved flying at an extremely low height over residential structures before the wing strike and subsequent impact.