On August 18, 1987, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration G-BGEO) operated by OxAero - Oxford Aerocharter was involved in an aviation accident near Mont Beuvray, France in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck trees in a wooded area after encountering heavy fog that reduced visibility during cruise. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area of France after encountering heavy fog during its flight to Leeds.
What happened
While operating a flight destined for Leeds, a twin engine airplane encountered dense fog that significantly reduced visibility as it traveled over French airspace. During the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft descended into the treetops of a forested region near Mont Beuvray. The impact with the vegetation resulted in a crash within the wooded area.
Findings
The accident occurred due to low visibility caused by thick fog during the flight.
The aircraft struck trees while at an insufficient altitude.
The incident resulted in four fatalities and three serious injuries among the occupants.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck trees in a wooded area after encountering heavy fog that reduced visibility during cruise.
What happened in the 18 Aug 1987 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident near Mont Beuvray, France?
A twin-engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area of France after encountering heavy fog during its flight to Leeds.
Were there any fatalities in the 18 Aug 1987 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Aug 1987 involved a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration G-BGEO, operated by OxAero - Oxford Aerocharter, at Mont Beuvray, France.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The aircraft struck trees in a wooded area after encountering heavy fog that reduced visibility during cruise.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…