What happened
A flight departed from Anvers, Belgium, at approximately 14:40, destined for Saanen, Switzerland, to transport three passengers. The flight initially operated under IFR conditions at a cruising altitude of 26,000 ft. During the descent toward FL 210, as directed by Geneva controllers, the aircraft began to deviate from its intended flight path.
Upon being queried by air traffic control, the pilot reported experiencing an issue with the autopilot. As the aircraft continued its descent, radar observations indicated the plane was performing tight turns. During this period, the pilot reported being in total IMC. Communication with the controller also captured the sound of the aircraft's overspeed warning. The aircraft's flight path became highly unstable, recording a descent rate of 15,500 ft/min followed shortly by a climb at the same rate.
Shortly after these maneuvers, the right wing of the aircraft type detached. The wreckage was located in a wooded area within the commune of Solemont. Debris from the right wing was scattered along a south-west/north-east axis, with some fragments found as far as 10 km from the primary impact site. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in four fatalities.
Findings
- The pilot reported a major technical problem involving the autopilot.
- The aircraft experienced extreme vertical speed fluctuations and an overspeed condition.
- Structural failure occurred when the right wing separated from the fuselage during the flight.