[Soar]

Air France Flight 296Q, a chartered Airbus A320-111, crashed during the Habsheim Airshow. The flight, operated by Air France for Air Charter International, unfolded before thousands of spectators.

What made this incident particularly noteworthy was that it marked the Airbus A320's debut in passenger service. On board were not only journalists but also raffle winners who had never experienced flight before. However, the grand spectacle turned into a catastrophe when the Airbus A320, intended to perform a low-speed flyover at 100 feet, inexplicably descended to a mere 30 feet, grazing the treetops at the runway's end before crashing.

Initially, all 136 passengers managed to survive the initial impact. Tragically, three individuals, including a quadriplegic boy, a seven-year-old girl, and an adult who had come to the child's aid, ultimately succumbed to smoke inhalation.

The flight's crew, consisting of Captain Michel Asseline, an experienced pilot with an impressive 10,463 flight hours under his belt, and First Officer Pierre Mazières, faced unforeseen challenges that fateful day. The flight plan included a flyover at the Mulhouse–Habsheim Airfield, an airfield unfamiliar to the crew. Due to a late alignment change and confusion about the airfield layout, the aircraft rapidly descended to a perilously low altitude.

As the crew endeavored to climb, the aircraft's computer system, designed to prevent stalling, activated its "alpha protection" mode, severely limiting their control. Adding to the crisis, the aircraft's engines ingested leaves and branches, resulting in engine failure and the subsequent crash. The impact tore off the right wing, igniting fuel and triggering a fire.

Inside the aircraft, emergency evacuation efforts were hindered by blocked exits, lack of lighting, and passenger disorientation. Many struggled with unfamiliar seatbelt mechanisms, while flight attendants valiantly worked to evacuate passengers amidst the growing smoke and flames.

The official investigation, led by the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, concluded that the aircraft was airworthy with no mechanical or electronic system failures. The probable causes of this tragic accident were attributed to an alarmingly low flyover height, slow speed, engines at flight idle, and a delayed application of go-around power.

[kellyhound]

it's a miracle only 3 of the 136 occupants onboard died.

few other angles.

[Kelseecat65]

I hate flying

[Cool_Dog_Group]

This crash always frustrated the hell out of me. Could have been so avoidable. :/