ASN Aircraft accident SNCASE SE.161/P7 Languedoc F-BCUM Nice-le Var Airport (NCE)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Monday 3 March 1952
Time:08:10
Type:Silhouette image of generic s161 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
SNCASE SE.161/P7 Languedoc
Operator:Air France
Registration: F-BCUM
MSN: 43
First flight: 1946
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney R-1830
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 34 / Occupants: 34
Total:Fatalities: 38 / Occupants: 38
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:ca 1 km N of Nice-le Var Airport (NCE) (   France)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Nice-le Var Airport (NCE/LFMN), France
Destination airport:Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG/LFPB), France
Narrative:
Shortly after takeoff the aircraft was seen to turn to the left. The bank to the left increased progressively and shortly after, the aircraft turned on its back and crashed.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "It was decided that the unusual path of the aircraft immediately following the take-off, was due to the blocking of the ailerons to the left at an angle of approximately 10deg. It was determined on the basis of analysis that the probable cause of the blocking was the unclamping of a link cheek of the upper rear chain of the co-pilot's control column, as a result of which the chain slipped off the sprocket and jammed against the internal boss of the pin which locks the ailerons in the neutral position. More broadly, the investigation brought to light the difficulty of setting and inspecting the chains inside the dual control columns. This difficulty is directly attributable to the design, and may cause certain chains which have not been properly studied in relation to the type of service for which they are intended, to become unclamped by torsion during maintenance and setting work."

Classification:

Loss of control

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Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Nice-le Var Airport to Paris-Le Bourget Airport as the crow flies is 690 km (431 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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SE161

  • 67 built
  • 12th loss
  • 4th fatal accident
  • The worst accident
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 France
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