What happened
During a night-time positioning flight traveling from Lyon-Satolas Airport toward Le Puy-Loudes Airport in Haute-Loire, an aircraft experienced a dual engine failure. While the crew was on final approach at an altitude of approximately 500 feet, they adjusted both propellers to a fine pitch setting. Immediately following this adjustment, both engines ceased functioning simultaneously.
As a result of the loss of power, the aircraft entered a stall and subsequently crash landed in an open field situated a few hundred meters before the runway threshold. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair. Despite the severity of the impact, both pilots escaped with minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the flight was operating in marginal weather conditions characterized by the presence of icing. It was determined that an excessive accumulation of ice caused the simultaneous failure of both engines following the propeller pitch adjustment. Contributing factors included the crew's failure to engage the engine deicing systems and a failure to attempt an engine restart. Additionally, it was noted that no antifreeze liquid had been utilized for the flight.