FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Fuel Exhaustion Forces Emergency Landing After Airshow Preparation Flight (F-BLHT)

Craon, FranceFlight

On November 12, 1973, a Nord 262 (registration F-BLHT) operated by Rousseau Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Craon, France in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures, did not add fuel before departure from Lyon-Bron, and failed to check fuel quantities or add fuel during the stop at Tours Airport. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion during a return flight from Craon to Lyon-Bron. The crew performed an emergency landing in a field; all five occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Flight and Incident Overview

The crew departed Lyon-Bron Airport on a flight to Tours to prepare for a demonstration mission, which was part of an airshow in Craon. After a brief en-route stop at Tours-Saint Symphorien Airport, the crew continued to Craon. Upon arrival, they completed a low pass and then decided to return to Lyon-Bron. A few minutes into the return flight, both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion.

Emergency Response

Following the engine failure, the captain reduced altitude and attempted an emergency landing in an open field. All five occupants evacuated the aircraft safely. However, the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined that both engines stopped because of fuel exhaustion. The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures, and no fuel was added to the tanks prior to departure from Lyon-Bron Airport. During the stop at Tours Airport, the crew again failed to check the fuel quantities and did not add any additional fuel.

Probable cause

Both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures, did not add fuel before departure from Lyon-Bron, and failed to check fuel quantities or add fuel during the stop at Tours Airport.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Nov 1973 Nord 262 accident near Craon, France?

Both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion during a return flight from Craon to Lyon-Bron. The crew performed an emergency landing in a field; all five occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Nov 1973 Nord 262 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Nov 1973 involved a Nord 262, registration F-BLHT, operated by Rousseau Aviation, at Craon, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures, did not add fuel before departure from Lyon-Bron, and failed to check fuel quantities or add fuel during the stop at Tours Airport.

More accident analyses