What happened
Following departure from runway 26 at Paris-Orly Airport, the four-engine aircraft experienced significant issues maintaining altitude. During its climb, the plane struck two residential buildings before entering a stall. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately 600 meters beyond the runway threshold, resulting in a massive explosion. Upon impact, the airframe broke apart, spreading wreckage across a distance of roughly 200 meters.
The accident resulted in 35 fatalities and one passenger sustained serious injuries. Among those who lost their lives was the Italian Director Guido Cantelli.
Findings
An official investigation into the crash concluded that there were no detectable mechanical failures or equipment malfunctions that could explain the flight path taken by the aircraft. Investigators determined that a slight loss of altitude immediately following takeoff served as the primary factor in the accident, though the specific reason for this descent remained unidentified. While investigators noted that all existing regulations were followed, they highlighted that unmarked obstacles located within the takeoff path acted as an aggravating factor during the sequence of events.