Landes | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Mont-de-Marsan AFB (BA 118), the twin engine aircraft crashed and burst into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Col Jacques Couilleau,
Sgt Michel Blanc,
Sgt Bernard Ruy.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK near Mimizan

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1952

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

LN-NAE

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Madrid – Bordeaux – Norrköping

MSN:

12372

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Madrid to Norrköping with an intermediate stop in Bordeaux, carrying a crew of six and 22 members of a Swedish football team. While descending to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in poor weather conditions, a technical failure occurred on one engine. The captain realized that it was not possible to reach the airport of Bordeaux so he reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing on a beach located three km north of Mimizan. The airplane belly landed on the sand beach, slid for dozen yards and came to rest partially submerged. All 28 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Dassault M.D.312 Flamant in Mont-de-Marsan

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Dassault M.D.315 Flamant

Operator:

Registration:

137

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mont-de-Marsan - Mont-de-Marsan

MSN:

137

YOM:

1950

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Aircraft flight hours:

Circumstances:

The crew (two engineers and two pilots) were performing a local test flight in Mont-de-Marsan Airbase on behalf of the Centre d’Expériences Aériennes Militaires (CEAM). After completing several circuits, the crew was returning to the airport when he encountered technical problems with the nose gear that would not come down. The pilot continued the approach and the aircraft eventually landed on its nose, slid for several yards and came to rest. All four crew members were unhurt but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. It accumulated 51 hours and 35 minutes of flight. Next tests were transferred on the Dassault M.D.312 Flamant registered 140.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in Saint-Girons

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1947 at 1510 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

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The crew departed Cazaux AFB bound to the south. Enroute, the right engine failed. The captain reduced his altitude and completed an emergency landing on a beach located in Saint-Girons. All three crew members were unhurt and with locals, were able to bring the aircraft out of water. Unfortunately, three hours later, the airplane was stuck by tide and written off. The accident occurred in September 1947 (exact date remains unknown).

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine.

Crash of a Caudron C.635 Simoun in Mont-de-Marsan

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1940 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Caudron C.630/C.635 Simoun

Operator:

Registration:

462

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mont-de-Marsan - Mont-de-Marsan

MSN:

462

YOM:

1938

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed Mont-de-Marsan on a local solo training flight. On final approach, the airplane collided with a North American 57 that was trying to land on the same runway. The propeller of the Simoun impacted the horizontal stabilizer of the NA 57, overturned and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
S/Lt Panthene, pilot.

Crash of a Potez 25 in Arjujanx

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1939 at 1120 LT

Type of aircraft:

Potez 25

Operator:

Registration:

1228

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cazaux - Cazaux

MSN:

1228

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Cazaux AFB on a training mission. En route, weather conditions worsened and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a field. A crewman was injured while the second was unhurt.
Crew:
Lt Roche, pilot,
Lt Gottfried Etzensberger, observer.

Crash of a Caudron C.286/2 Phalène in Le Penon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1933 at 1935 LT

Type of aircraft:

Caudron C.280 Phalène

Operator:

Henri Gelley

Registration:

F-AMGI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Paris - Biarritz

MSN:

6719.2

YOM:

1933

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Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed Paris-Orly on a private flight to Biarritz, carrying three passengers and one pilot. En route, he encountered various technical problems and this brand new aircraft that had just been delivered. While approaching Biarritz, he encountered an unexpected situation and abandoned the aircraft that crashed near a wooded area located in Le Penon, some 28 km north of Biarritz. The pilot was found uninjured while all three passengers were killed.
Crew:
Henri Gelley, pilot.
Passengers:
André Chalaux,
Maurice Dubois
Louis Pluquet.