What happened
On 30 March 2008, a Cessna Citation 500, registration VP-BGE, was prepared for a flight from Biggin Hill, Kent, to Pau, France. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and three passengers. Following standard procedures, the crew received clearance for a departure via the Detling route and taxied to the holding point for Runway 21.
At 1332 hrs, the aircraft took off. The tower controller initially observed the departure as normal. However, one minute after becoming airborne, the co-pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was performing an immediate turn to return to the airport due to engine issues. The crew reported experiencing significant vibration in the engines.
As the aircraft maneuvered to overhead the airfield for a left-hand circuit, it began a continuous descent. At 1336 hrs, the co-lag transmitted a final message indicating a major power problem and stating that the aircraft was going in. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude over residential areas, noting a nose-high attitude and banking maneuvers. The left wing of the aircraft struck the roof of a house in a residential close, after which the aircraft hit the ground and ignited a fire. All five persons on board sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB conducted a field investigation, which included a search of the airfield surroundings. No debris or foreign objects were found on the taxiways or runway that could have caused an issue. The wreckage was largely destroyed by the post-impact fire.
Technical examinations of the engines' rotating assemblies and main bearings showed no evidence of bird strikes or foreign object damage. Additionally, investigators found no evidence of pre-impact failures or restrictions in the flight control circuits. The aircraft was not equipped with flight data or cockpit voice recorders.