No fatalities

Engine Failure on Night Positioning Flight Leads to Crash Landing Near Le Puy-Loudes Airport (F-GCTE)

Le Puy-Loudes, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On November 22, 1987, a Swearingen SA226 Metro II (registration F-GCTE) operated by Compagnie Aérienne du Languedoc was involved in an aviation accident near Le Puy-Loudes, France during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that weather conditions were considered as marginal at the time of the accident with icing conditions. Both engines failed after the crew positioned both propellers to fine pitch due to an excessive accumulation of ice. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

On a night positioning flight from Lyon-Satolas to Le Puy-Loudes, both engines failed after propellers were set to fine pitch in marginal icing conditions. The aircraft stalled and crash-landed short of the runway; both pilots sustained minor injuries.

Incident Overview

A positioning flight from Lyon-Satolas Airport to Le Puy-Loudes Airport ended in a crash landing after both engines failed simultaneously during the final approach. The flight was conducted at night. At an altitude of approximately 500 feet, the crew moved both propellers to fine pitch, at which point the engines lost power. The airplane stalled and came down in an open field a few hundred meters short of the runway threshold.

Injuries and Damage

Both pilots escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Official Findings

The investigation determined that weather conditions at the time of the accident were marginal, with icing conditions present. Both engines failed due to excessive ice accumulation after the crew set the propellers to fine pitch. The crew had not activated the engine deicing systems, nor did they attempt to restart the engines. Additionally, it was reported that no antifreeze fluid was used.

Probable cause

It was determined that weather conditions were considered as marginal at the time of the accident with icing conditions. Both engines failed after the crew positioned both propellers to fine pitch due to an excessive accumulation of ice. The crew failed to activate the engine deicing systems and also failed to restart the engine. It was also reported there was no antifreeze liquid used.