Aircraft gear collapse during landing at Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons Airport

No fatalities • Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons, France • Landing (descent or approach)

An aircraft experienced a landing gear collapse and veered off the runway during an approach to Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons Airport, resulting in no injuries.

What happened

During a flight originating from Cannes-Mandelieu Airport, the pilot began the approach sequence for Runway 27 at Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons Airport. The flight proceeded without incident until the final stages of the landing. Due to an unstabilized approach, the aircraft made a heavy impact upon touchdown.

This hard landing caused the left main landing gear to collapse. As the aircraft continued along the runway, the right main gear was subsequently lost, causing the plane to veer toward the left side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop off the paved surface. No fire broke out during the incident.

Findings

  • All five occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft without any injuries.
  • The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the unstabilized approach which led to the heavy landing and subsequent gear failure.

Probable cause

An unstabilized approach resulted in a hard landing that caused the landing gear to collapse.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-03-15 Cessna 303 Crusader accident near Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons, France?

An aircraft experienced a landing gear collapse and veered off the runway during an approach to Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons Airport, resulting in no injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 2014-03-15 Cessna 303 Crusader accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-03-15 involved a Cessna 303 Crusader, registration N303W, operated by Private United States of America, at Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unstabilized approach resulted in a hard landing that caused the landing gear to collapse.

Loading the flight search…