Par
Antoine Blanchet
Published on
Dec 4 2024 at 11:39 a.m.
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The images were impressive, and the results miraculous. On December 4, 2023, around 5 p.m., a twin-engine plane crashed in the interior courtyard of a building in Villejuif in Val-de-Marne. No injuries and no major damage were reported. A year after the events, the Civil aviation study and analysis office (BEA) published a report on the causes of the accident.
Poor tank selection
On the day of the incident, three people were on the plane: an experienced 82-year-old trainer, a pilot in training, and another student as a passenger. On board of a PA30 twin-enginethey had to connect Toussus-le-Noble in Yvelines starting from Rouen. However, as the study and analysis office indicates, an error in fuel management led to the crash.
To put it simply, the type of aircraft used has six fuel tankscomposed of two main and four auxiliary. Improper handling by the student led to improper use of the tanks. “The pilot in training probably forgot to reposition the fuel tank selectors to MAIN (main) after having purged the MAIN then AUX (auxiliary) tanks,” indicates the design and analysis office.
No injuries
As a result, the aircraft was flying using fuel from the auxiliary tanks, insufficient to complete the entire journey. Running out of fuel, the engines stopped mid-flight. “The instructor took control again and attempted to restart the right engine. He did not select a tank which contained fuel during his actions,” continues the BEA.
Finally, the plane crashed in the courtyard of a building. Hospitalized in absolute emergency, the three occupants of the plane were not seriously injured. An investigation was opened by the Créteil public prosecutor's office.
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