Nice Airport Takeoff Accident: Four-Engine Aircraft Crashes After Aileron Jamming (F-BCUM)

Incident Overview Forty-five seconds after departing runway 04 at Nice Airport, the four-engine aircraft entered an unusual flight path during its initial climb. The airplane banked sharply to the left, overturned, and crashed in a major explosion near the Saint-Augustin station, located north of the airfield. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact. Only one female passenger was initially found alive, but she succumbed to her injuries four days later. Among the fatalities were French actresses Michèle Verly and Lise Topart, and Welsh politician John Emlyn-Jones. The crew consisted of pilot Mr. Farrugia, radio operator Mr. Fraillon, mechanic Mr. Cavaille, and steward Mr. Biancheri. ## Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the aircraft's unusual path immediately following takeoff was caused by the ailerons being blocked to the left at an angle of approximately 10 degrees. Analysis revealed that the probable cause of this blockage was the unclamping of a link cheek of the upper rear chain of the co-pilot's control column. This failure allowed the chain to slip off its sprocket and jam against the internal boss of the pin used to lock the ailerons in the neutral position. ## Safety Implications The investigation highlighted significant difficulties in setting and inspecting the chains within the dual control columns. These challenges were directly attributed to the design of the system. The findings indicated that certain chains, which had not been adequately studied for their intended service, could become unclamped by torsion during maintenance and setting operations.