No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft damaged beyond repair after landing incident (43-35423)

Paris-Le Bourget, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On November 7, 1944, a Noorduyn Norseman (registration 43-35423) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Paris-Le Bourget, France during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with a sand pile located on the left side of the runway during landing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft struck a sand pile on the left side of the runway during landing, shearing off the left main gear. Both occupants were unhurt, but the airframe was destroyed.

What happened

During the landing phase, the single-engine aircraft encountered an obstruction consisting of a sand pile situated on the left-hand side of the runway. The collision with this debris resulted in the immediate structural failure of the undercarriage, specifically shearing off the left main gear. Following the impact, the airframe rotated and eventually came to rest on the ground. Despite the severity of the mechanical damage, both individuals on board sustained no injuries.

Findings

The incident concluded with the aircraft being declared a total loss due to the extent of the structural damage incurred during the collision.

Probable cause

Collision with a sand pile located on the left side of the runway during landing.