1952-10-23: SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc (86/F-RAPC) — French Air Force - Armée de l'Air — Bonneuil-sur-Marne, France

11 fatalitiesBonneuil-sur-Marne, FranceTakeoff (climb)

An SNCASE four-engine aircraft crashed during a training flight from Paris-Le Bourget to Paris-Orly, resulting in the deaths of all 11 people on board.

What happened

A training mission was being conducted between Paris-Le Bourget and Paris-Orly when the accident occurred. The aircraft, a four-engine SNCASE model, was carrying eleven individuals, including ten crew members and one engineer.

During the initial climb phase shortly after departing from Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the flight crew experienced significant technical difficulties. These issues arose specifically during the process of retracting the flaps. As a result of these complications, the aircraft became uncontrollable and descended into a field in Bonneuil-sur-Marne, situated approximately 8 km northeast of the Le Bourget airfield. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and 11 fatalities.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the loss of control was triggered by the crew's decision to raise the flaps. This maneuver was reportedly performed in response to an asymmetric issue occurring during the flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft became uncontrollable after the crew attempted to retract the flaps while managing an asymmetric condition.