Farnborough to Nice Charter Flight: Engine Failure and Crash at Lyon-Satolas (G-MURI)

Flight Details and Engine Failure The aircraft departed Farnborough Airport at 11:22 on a charter flight to Nice, carrying two pilots and three passengers, including F1 driver David Coulthard. At 12:22, while cruising at flight level 390, the left engine failed. The crew shut down the engine, declared an emergency, and requested to divert to the nearest aerodrome with a runway longer than 1,600 meters. ## Emergency Descent and Approach Lyon-Satolas Airport, located approximately 62 nautical miles to the left of the aircraft, was proposed as the diversion destination. The descent was conducted under radar guidance at high speed and a high rate of descent. At 12:35, the pilot stabilized the aircraft at 3,000 feet, intercepted the runway 36L ILS, and received clearance to land. ## Final Approach Sequence Radar data indicated the final approach began at 233 knots. At 12:36:45, flaps were extended to 8 degrees, with the aircraft at 2,400 feet, 4.4 nautical miles from the runway threshold, and traveling at 184 knots. The landing gear was extended at 12:36:58. At 12:37:03, flaps were set to 20 degrees, with the aircraft at 2,100 feet, 3.5 nautical miles from the threshold, and at 180 knots. ## Loss of Control and Impact No malfunctions or additional problems were reported to air traffic control during the final approach. At 12:38:08, the copilot advised the captain that the aircraft was slightly low, with radar showing the aircraft at 1,100 feet, 0.9 nautical miles from the threshold, and at 155 knots. At 12:38:17, the copilot repeated the warning and noted the speed was 10 knots above the approach reference speed. At 12:38:22, the copilot again stated the aircraft was low and requested increased thrust. The aircraft was then at 900 feet, 0.1 nautical miles from the threshold, and at 150 knots. At 12:38:24, the captain indicated he was losing control. The aircraft banked sharply to the left over the runway threshold, touched the ground with its wing, crashed, and caught fire. Both pilots were killed, while all three passengers evacuated with minor injuries.