Pilatus PC-6 crashes after take-off near Nancy with smoke onboard, killing 11

A fatal accident occurred on 28 June near Tomblaine, close to Nancy, France, when a Pilatus PC-6 experienced a loss of control just after take-off, crashing and killing all 11 people onboard. The aircraft was carrying 10 skydivers along with the pilot. French investigators from BEA have indicated that during the take-off roll, smoke was observed inside the cabin before the plane stalled and rolled sharply to the left, leading to the crash.

Initial witness accounts and video surveillance from the ground, along with footage from cameras carried by the skydivers, helped reconstruct the fatal flightpath. Two instructors onboard remarked on seeing smoke; one in the rear cabin said it was smoking, while another in the center pointed toward the floor area and confirmed smoke presence. The instructors attempted to ventilate the cabin by partially opening the side door, but the pilot did not appear to hear these comments during the critical moments.

The single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 turboprop engine's gas generator speed started stable at 96% maximum RPM but then dropped by about 10%, remaining reduced during the accident sequence. This reduction was unusual compared to prior flights that day. At that point, the aircraft reached rotation speed at approximately 60 knots and climbed to about 73 knots, but airspeed soon began declining as the nose pitched sharply up to 19 degrees and the aircraft rolled first right then left more than 20 degrees.

As the aircraft slowed and climbed aggressively, it reached speeds near stall thresholds, with stall speed in take-off configuration around 53 knots and increasing to 57 knots at 30 degrees bank. The Pilatus PC-6 stalled asymmetrically about 200 feet above ground, lost height rapidly, and crashed roughly 200 meters beyond the departure end of runway 21, about 150 meters left of the centerline. All onboard perished in the crash.

Analysis of the cockpit instrument panel from wreckage found it highly probable that multiple warning lights for engine oil contamination with metallic particles, clogged fuel filter, and minimum propeller pitch were illuminated at impact. However, it remains under investigation whether these alerts activated before or after loss of control. Pratt & Whitney have commenced detailed examination of the engine to identify mechanical causes.

Further tests revealed no anomalies in fuel quality at the airport, and investigators excluded the involvement of smoke grenades or mobile phones as sources of smoke. The recovered phone—likely belonging to the pilot—showed no signs of thermal runaway. Additionally, no evidence pointed to electrical system malfunctions or pyrotechnic device detonation on board. Weight and center-of-gravity were within limits, and there was no indication occupants moved prior to the accident.

This tragic event highlights the dangers of in-flight smoke and potential engine malfunctions during critical phases such as take-off. The BEA investigation remains ongoing to determine the precise sequence of events and underlying causes. Findings may influence future safety protocols for skydiving flight operations and maintenance regimes for PC-6 aircraft.

The PC-6's role as a versatile utility aircraft favored by skydiving operators underscores the impact of this accident on that sector. With 11 fatalities, it is one of the deadliest such accidents involving a PC-6 in recent years, raising questions about training, emergency procedures, and engine monitoring instrumentation during take-off incidents.

The investigation by BEA continues to delve into mechanical and operational factors that led to the stall and crash. Pratt & Whitney's engine examination will be a critical element in understanding whether engine degradation or failure played a causative role. The findings will be key to preventing recurrence of fatal stalls following engine disturbances in turboprop aircraft.