Narrative:The aircraft departed Valence for Bovingdon at 22:32 (May 19), carrying a cargo of fruit. The DC-3 arrived near Bovingdon and the crew carried out a circuit beneath a low cloud base. During the circuit, the aircraft flew into trees and crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Whilst maneuvering at night under the base of low cloud prepatory to landing, the aircraft lost height and struck the ground. The cause of the accident cannot be determined."
Sources:
» Douglas DC-3 Production List (Issue no. 28)
Photos
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 Valence-Chabeuil Airport to Bovingdon RAF Station as the crow flies is 853 km (533 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of 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.