Douglas DC-3 accident at Paris-Le Bourget, France, 6 Jan 1948 (F-BAXC)
On January 6, 1948, a Douglas DC-3 (registration F-BAXC) operated by Air France was involved in an aviation accident near Paris-Le Bourget, France during landing or approach. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Weather conditions were considered as good at the time of the accident and no technical failure was pointed out on the airplane or its instruments. It is believed that the aircraft stalled on final approach, maybe due to an insufficient approach speed. 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.
Probable cause
Weather conditions were considered as good at the time of the accident and no technical failure was pointed out on the airplane or its instruments. It is believed that the aircraft stalled on final approach, maybe due to an insufficient approach speed.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While approaching Paris, the crew was instructed by ATC to stack for about 30 minutes due to an Air Algérie DC-3 landing at the same time. Also, ATC told the crew to divert to Pontoise-Cormeilles en Vexin if they wanted to land immediately. The captain decided to stack for about 30 minutes at an altitude between 700 and 1,000 meters and was later authorized to descent to Le Bourget. On final approach, while at a height of some 150 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a tulip field located 1,500 meters short of runway threshold. Two passengers were seriously injured while all 14 other occupants were killed. Few hours later, both survivors died from their injuries. Crew: Edouard Albin, pilot, Georges Capron, copilot, Pierre Lebeau, radio navigator, Joseph Lacroix, mechanic, Mr. Germé, steward.
Probable cause (official findings): Weather conditions were considered as good at the time of the accident and no technical failure was pointed out on the airplane or its instruments. It is believed that the aircraft stalled on final approach, maybe due to an insufficient approach speed.