Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45 (451-459) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from Connantre Airport. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all four crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
Adj Maurice Magnan, pilot,
S/Lt Pierre Chaboureau, chief,
Sgt/C Castilla,
Adj/C Flamand.

Crash of a Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 451B4 in Connantre

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1939 at 1015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45 (451-459)

Operator:

Registration:

L-545

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Connantre - Connantre

MSN:

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Connantre Airport on a reconnaissance mission over Munich and Nurnberg, carrying four crew members. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 40 metres, the right engine failed while the undercarriage were not fully retracted. The captain decided to return for an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane landed hard, broke in two and came to rest. Three crew members were seriously injured while a fourth was unhurt.
Crew:
Adj/C Regnoux, pilot,
Cdt Bernard Dumas, chief,
Sgt/C Georges Castela, radio operator,
Adj André Perrigouard, gunner.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine shortly after takeoff for unknown reasons, resulting the undercarriage to be not fully deployed.