Accident Details
On a local training flight from Pau-Uzein Airport, a military transport aircraft operated on behalf of the Escadron de Transport 2/63 Bigorre carried nine crew members and 25 paratroopers. Shortly after takeoff, the captain informed ground control of an engine fire and was cleared to return for an emergency landing.
Crash Sequence
During the final approach, the aircraft nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion a few kilometers short of the runway. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in two passengers being injured, while 32 other occupants were killed.
Crew and Passengers
The crew consisted of Captain Mallet, Captain Remy, Adjutant Abdi, Adjutant Sion, Major Carlu, Major Gruselle, Sergeant Piccerelle, Sergeant Tondeur, and Major Perron. The passengers were all sub-lieutenants: Berthe, Boju, Cartal, Coullerez, Delarche, Del Toso, Dhome, Ducatillon, Erba, Flori, Guillamet, Kerleguer, Labriet, Lanterme, Lafitte, Megevand, Peters, Pina, Py, Rousseau, Sensfelder, Tachet, and Zangarelli.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be an engine fire for unknown reason.