Flight and Accident
The aircraft departed from Paris-Orly airport under good weather conditions. Shortly after departure, the crew was informed of some turbulence over the Alps. While cruising at night at an altitude of 9,500 feet, the four-engine aircraft struck the slope of Mount Cemet (also referred to as Mount Cimet), a peak 3,020 meters high located approximately 8 km northeast of Allos in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 2,870 meters, about 150 meters below the summit.
Wreckage and Casualties
The aircraft disintegrated upon impact. All 42 occupants were killed, including French violinist Jacques Thibaud and French composer René Herbin. The crew consisted of pilot Jacques Tranoy, copilot Jacques Calmette, radio navigator Robert Mathis, mechanic M. Fontaine, mechanic Jean-Marie Christophe, stewardess Monique Perret, steward Jean Menard, steward Rémy Lebars, and steward Charles Delhomme.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, at the time of the accident the aircraft was not following the track that had been assigned and was off course for an unknown reason. It was understood that the airplane deviated from the prescribed flight plan, possibly following a navigation error, but this was not determined with certainty. Thus, the accident is the result of a controlled flight into terrain.