What happened
A charter flight departed Farnborough Airport at 11:22, carrying two pilots and three passengers. While cruising at FL390, the aircraft experienced a failure of its left engine. In response, the crew shut down the malfunctioning engine and initiated an emergency descent. The crew requested diversion to the nearest airfield with a runway exceeding 1,600 meters, selecting Lyon-Satolas Airport, which was approximately 62 NM away.
The descent toward Lyon-Satolas was conducted under radar guidance at high speeds and a high rate of descent. By 12:35, the pilot had stabilized the aircraft at 3,000 feet and intercepted the ILS for runway 36L. Radar data indicates the final approach began at 233 knots, with a progressive reduction in speed. During the approach, the crew extended the flaps to 8 degrees and subsequently deployed the landing gear.
As the aircraft neared the threshold, the co-pilot issued several warnings regarding the aircraft's altitude, noting it was low on the approach path. The co-pilot also noted the airspeed was 10 knots above the reference speed and requested an increase in thrust. At 12:38:24, the captain reported a loss of control. The aircraft banked sharply to the left over the runway threshold, struck the ground with its wing, and subsequently caught fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities among the crew, while the three passengers evacuated the wreckage with minor injuries.
Findings
The investigation determined that the crash was caused by a loss of yaw and roll control. This instability occurred when the pilot attempted to increase thrust on the right engine without properly monitoring flight symmetry. The captain's difficulty managing stress following the initial engine failure and his hurried actions further contributed to the loss of control.