Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, a twin-engine airplane departed Avignon at 1631 local time on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Brussels. On board were two pilots and three passengers. As the aircraft approached its destination at an altitude of 7,000 feet, air traffic control cleared the crew to descend to 2,000 feet.
Sequence of Events
During the descent, while passing 6,400 feet, the airplane entered a left-hand spiral. The airframe failed due to aerodynamic overload, causing the tail, the upper left wing, and the leading edges of both wings to separate from the aircraft. The uncontrolled airplane then dove into the ground near Breendonk. All five occupants were killed in the crash.
Contributing Factors
Investigators identified several factors that contributed to the accident. The crew lacked the required licenses and qualifications to operate the twin-engine aircraft and to conduct flight in instrument meteorological conditions. The Pitot tube heating system was found in the OFF position at the time of the accident. Additionally, two onboard systems—the autopilot and the wing leading edge de-icing system—had been out of order for five days prior to the flight. Weather conditions posed a risk of icing.
During the descent, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, which entered a left-hand spiral. The pilot attempted a high-speed pull-up, but the resulting aerodynamic loads exceeded the structural limits of the airframe, leading to in-flight breakup.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was loss of control of the aircraft during a descent under instrument flight conditions and exceeding the airframe's structural limits. Contributing factors included weather conditions posing a risk of icing, the crew's lack of experience and qualifications in flying a twin-engine aircraft and in instrument flight conditions, the inoperative Pitot tube heating, and the prolonged unavailability of the autopilot and wing de-icing systems.