Accident Overview
An aircraft departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport at 1839LT, bound for Northolt. While descending to 4,500 feet, air traffic control informed the crew that fog had reduced visibility at Northolt to 50 yards. The pilot announced an intention to attempt a landing at London-Heathrow, where visibility was 40 yards but Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) facilities were available. The pilot further advised that if a safe landing could not be made at London-Heathrow, the aircraft would divert to Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire or Manston Airport in Kent.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft conducted what appeared to be a normal GCA, reaching a decision height of 140 feet at about 400 yards short of the runway threshold. Unable to locate the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around, increased power, and raised the landing gear. Seconds later, the aircraft struck the runway surface, skidded for approximately 140 feet, and then became airborne again. With both propellers damaged from the initial contact with the ground, the aircraft stalled and crashed approximately 3,000 feet past the runway threshold. The starboard wing was torn off, and the aircraft burst into flames upon coming to rest next to a store of drain-pipes. Thick fog hampered rescue efforts; fire and rescue teams took 16 to 17 minutes to locate the crashed aircraft. Of the 30 people on board, only two survived: a stewardess and a passenger, both seated near the tail.
Probable Cause
The official investigation stated that although it cannot be established with certainty, the probable explanation is that the captain deliberately descended below the break-off point and then, at 100 feet or less, entered fog that abruptly reduced the visibility of the runway lights; only then did he start an overshoot procedure, with fatal results.