What happened
On the evening of October 19, 1994, a Beechcraft C90A King Air, registered F-GLRA, was conducting a night passenger flight from Tours to Saumur. Upon approaching the Saumur Saint-Florent aerodrome, the pilot contacted the AFIS agent to declare a visual approach for runway 28, citing stratus clouds to the west.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft entered a left-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft descended too steeply, causing the left wingtip to strike the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to skid and overturn, subsequently catching fire. The intense fire, fueled by spilled wing tanks, destroyed the forward two-thirds of the airframe. There were 7 fatalities (the pilot and six passengers).
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path, the wreckage, and the pilot's professional background. Radar data from the CAUTRA system helped reconstruct the approach trajectory, showing a tight left-hand turn. Examination of the wreckage confirmed that the engines were running at the moment of impact, as evidenced by the deformation of the propeller blades.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's qualifications. While the pilot held a professional license and IFR rating, evidence suggested potential deficiencies in his IFR competency and a lack of documented night flying experience as a commander. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the operational structure of the flight, noting that while the flight was technically a passenger transport, it was organized through a complex arrangement of aircraft leasing and services that lacked the oversight and standardized procedures found in commercial air transport operations.